D.—l.

WAYS AND MEANS. On the Ist April, 1926, the available ways and means for public- £ works purposes were .. .. . . .. .. 526,421 Additional funds were received as follows (a) Under Finance Act, 1924, section 2 (public works) .. . . 4,152,991 (b) Recoveries on account of expenditure of previous years . . 146,933 (c) Ellesmere and Forsyth Reclamation and Akaroa Railway Trust Account receipts .. .. .. .. .. 1,620 £4,827,965 The net expenditure on works and services against the General Purposes Account for the year was— £ (a) Under appropriations . . . . . . . . 3,832,685 (b) Under Lake Ellesmere Land Drainage Act, 1905 . . 439 (c) Under Lake Ellesmere and Akaroa Railway Trust Account 81 (d) Charges and expenses of raising loans .. .. 155,373 Making a total of .. .. .. .. £3,988,578 This left a credit balance in the account for 1 general purposes at 31st £ March, 1927, of .. .. .. .. .. .. 839,387 Legislative authority exists for raising a further .. .. .. 5,061,050 It is proposed to ask for further legislative authority to borrow, when required .. .. .. . . . . . . . . 4,000,000 Thus making available for public works, general purposes, a total of . .*£9,900,437 The estimated expenditure under the account for the current financial £ year, including the transfer of £200,000 to Main Highways Construction Fund, is .. .. .. .. .. .. 4,287,750 In addition to the requirements for general purposes, there are a number of special accounts for public works with separate ways and means. The most important of these are : —

From the foregoing figures it will be observed tliat at the end of last £ financial year the unexpended balance of the Public Works Fund for general purposes, plus existing and proposed authorities for raising further moneys, amounted to .. .. .. 9,900,437 While the balance at the same date in respect to some of the- more important public works, under special accounts, plus existing and proposed legislative authority to raise additional loans, amounted to .. .. .. .. .. .. 11,611,097 Or a total of .. .. .. ..£21,511.534

V

. Unexhausted Additional n.'u 06 + Borrowing Borrowing Total availName of Account. 5™ e ? Authority at Authority to be able Ways ' S iQ97 r ° ' 31st March, sought during and Means. 1927. 1927. year. £ £ £ £ Electric-supply Account .. .. .. 274,190 4,478,990 .. 4,753,180 Wailiou and Ohinemuri Rivers Improvement 1,666 1 75,000 .. 176,666 Account Railways Improvement Authorization Act 191.4 210,691 2,000,000 2,000,000 4.210,691 Account Main Highways Construction Fund .. .. 70.560 2,400,000 .. 2,470,560 Totals for these special accounts.. .. 557.107 9,053,990 2,000,000 11,611,097 * In addition, surplus revenue as available will be transferred from Consolidated Fund up to £500,000.