A.—4b

In 1924 and 1925 the revenues and expenditure were —- Revenue. Expenditure. £ £ 31/3/24 .. .. .. .. .. .. 133,917 143,010 31/3/25 .. .. .. .. .. .. 130,915 135,524 The surplus of £14,957 on 31/3/26 includes advances amounting to £6,523, and included in the assets are — Unallocated Stores Department, Public Works Department, and Engineering £ Department .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 37,131 Plant, buildings, and machinery .. .. .. .. .. 6,215 £43,346 It is to be doubted, if these assets are again valued, the full value would amount to the sum of £43,000. The committee does not overlook the investments of assets in the New Zealand Government and inscribed stock amounting to £56,790. And the committee is also aware of the public debt of the Territory due to New Zealand of over £100,000, for which provision is "made in the permanent charges for the gradual liquidation of this debt and the payment of interest thereon. Special attention is invited to expenditure in the Territory, which is about to be enumerated. At Vailima (Government House), in addition to the salary of the Administrator, — Per Annum. £ £ Chauffeur .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 170 Domestic servants (Chinese) .. .. .. . . .. 350 Rations .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 100 Overhead charges .. .. .. .. . . .. 185 635 Outdoor labour (Chinese) .. .. .. .. .. 550 Maintenance Government House grounds .. .. .. 250 Repairs to drive .. .. .. .. .-. .. 100 900 Upkeep of motor-cars and. horses .. .. .. .. .. 350 Lighting .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 150 £2,205 In addition to the above, prisoners are frequently employed at Vailima (see report of Mandate). The upkeep of Vailima House and grounds may be compared with the labour required to maintain another Government institution—viz., the Casino—where from ten to fifteen Chinese are deemed sufficient for the maintenance and service of this hostel. The cost of these Chinese is estimated at about £800 per annum. The actual expenditure for year ended 31st March, 1925, at Vailima was — £ £ Wages for Chinese staff .. .. .. .. ... 1,020 Rations .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 140 Chinese overhead charges .. .. .. .. .. 258 1,418 Maintenance of grounds .. .. .. .. .. .. 764 Upkeep of motor-cars and grounds .. .. .. .. .. 258 £2,577 The following comparison of the expenses of the Secretariat is made :— Samoa. Fiji. Tonga. £ £ £ Secretary .. .. .. .. .. .. 950 I,ooo* 750 48f 798 Assistant Secretary .. .. .. .. .. 505 700J 405 Also A.D.C. .. .. .. .. .. 150 £655 (* Colonial.) (tHouse.) (t Chief Clerk),

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