B.—No. 2.

the 30th June, 1871, the balance was £313,581 2s. Id., so that the Eund increased during the year by £96,618 Bs. 6d. The Post Office Savings Banks balance increased from £294,877 19s. 9d. in 1871, to £365,891 15s. 9d. in 1872, showing an increase of £71,016 165., exclusive of interest. I may mention, as a proof of the desire to keep the Trust Eund perfectly intact, that I have during the past year had the accounts thoroughly examined, and caused, from the interest received on the Trust Eund securities, full payments to be made to cover all the accretions of interest due to the interest-bearing accounts in the Trust Eund. Moreover, strict conditions have been laid down in respect to keeping those interest-bearing accounts fully covered in the future for all accretions of interest and compound interest. I wish honorable Members to realize, that the Trust Eund is absolutely removed from the ordinary revenue and expenditure. REVENUE OF THE TEAR 1871-72. I now proceed to consider the past year. I will state the estimated and the actual revenue under the several heads, and will contrast the actual revenue of 1871-72 with that of 1870-71. Statement of the Actual Revenue of the Tear 1871-72 as compared with the Estimated Revenue, and also as compared with the Actual Revenue, of the preceding Tear.

Increase during year, £96,618 Bs. 6d. Post Office Savings Bank balance increased £71,016 16s.

All accrued interest covered.

Fund absolutely removed from ordinary revenue and expenditure.

Estimated Ordinary Bevenue, 1871-72, £990,000; actually received, £1,007,414 14s. 4d.

It will be seen, therefore, that there is an increase in the actual revenue of 1871-72 over that of 1870-71, of £71,226 Bs. 6d.; and an increase of £17,414 lis. Id. in the receipts of 1871-72 over the amount which I estimated would be received. These results—the increase upon the estimated revenue, and the still larger increase as compared with the receipts of 1870-71—cannot fail to be exceedingly gratifying to the Committee. The largest increase on the estimated revenue was that in the Customs Eevenue —£25,183 19s. 9d. Honorable Members will ask, How much of the increase is due to the new duties imposed last Session, and how much to the natural expansion of trade arising from the improved condition of the country ? The new duties really yielded more than double the amount they were estimated to yield; the estimate being £7,500, and the amount received, £15,077. Of that total, £6,442 was from the duties on flour and grain; and £8,635 from the increased duties on malt, hops, rice, soap, and timber. The result, as a whole, would have been better, if the receipts of revenue during the early part of the financial year had equaled those during the later part. Comparing each quarter with the corresponding period of the previous financial year, the figures stand thus : — 1871-72. 1870-71. September quarter ... ■ ... £183,722 ... £190,499 December „ ... ... 193,077 ... 187,752 March „ ... ... 196,283 ... 171,479 June „ ... ... 202,899 ... 183,570 • And here, perhaps, the Committee will allow me to refer briefly to the detailed statements II (2) to H (10). It will be seen, on reference to the first-named Table, that the increase of

Or, £17,414 14s. 4d. over estimate, and £71,226 Bs. 6d. over receipts, 1870-71.

Customs Revenue, increase over estimate, £25,183 19s. 9d.

New Customs Duties, estimated to yield £7,500; yielded £15,077.

6

PINANCIAL STATEMENT.

1871-72. Heads oe Receipt. 1870-71. Actual Revenue. Estimated. Actual. Customs —-Duties, Rents, Seizures, &c. Bonded Stores Fees, Marine Act, including Light Dues ... ,, Arms Act ,, Sundry Acts Stamp Duties Postal Telegraphic ... Judicial Fees and Fines Registration of Land „ Deeds ... „ Births, Deaths, and Marriages Fees on Issue of Crown Grants ... „ Miscellaneous Incidental Receipts £ s. d. 750,000 0 0 4,500 0 0 6,000 0 0 1,580 0 0 1,785 0 0 80,000 0 0 45,000 0 0 28,000 0 0 33,000 0 0 5,000 0 0 15,000 0 0 2,750 0 0 10,000 0 0 2,590 0 0 4,795 0 0 £ s. d. 775,183 19 9 4,078 16 7 5,942 13 1 1,721 11 6 1,784 3 6 74,630 10 1 47,054 18 3 28,471 6 7 28,519 3 10 4,539 17 11 14,789 8 6 2,860 6 6 6,620 18 8 2,645 18 3 8,571 1 4 £ s. d. 732,130 2 1 4,229 11 3 5,706 15 8 1,580 18 0 1,826 0 3 55,621 1 5 43,086 15 0 22,545 16 4 31,099 18 8 911 12 7 15,311 11 0 2,720 19 6 7,638 18 6 2,222 1 2 9,556 4 5 Totals 990,000 0 0 1,007,414 14 4 936,188 5 10