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1874. NEW ZEALAND.

SINKING FUNDS.

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE PUBLIC DEBTS SINKING FUNDS, FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30th JUNE, 1874.

Laid before both Houses of the General Assembly in compliance with the Sixth Section of " The Public Debts Sinking Funds Act, 1868."

The Hon. J. Vogel to the Hon. the Speakeb, House of Eepresentatives. Sic, — Government Buildings, "Wellington, 24th July, 1874. In compliance with the 6th section of " The Public Debts Sinking Funds Act, 1868," I have the honor to transmit to you, to lay before Parliament, the report of the Commissioners of the Public Debts Sinking Funds, and accompanying accounts, for the year ended 30th June, 1874. I have, &c, Julius Vogel, Chairman of the Commissioners of the Public Debts Sinking Funds. The Hon. the Speaker of the House of Eepresentatives.

Eepoet of the Commissionees of the Public Debts Sinking Funds, for the Tear ended 30th June, 1874. Wellington, 24th July, 1874. In compliance with the 6th section of "The Public Debts Sinking Funds Act, 1868," the Commissioners of the Public Debts Sinking Funds have the honor to lay before Parliament their report and accounts for the year ended 30th June, 1874. The only subject that calls for remark is the present position of the sinking funds of the Canterbury loans. Last year the Commissioners reported that the trustee of these funds in England had declined to hand them over to the Commissioners, except under an order of the Court of Chancery ; and that they were advised that the most inexpensive mode of obtaining that order was to consent to an application to be made to the Court by the trustee. All the necessary steps have accordingly been taken by the Commissioners, and they now await the result of the application in England. Julius Vogel, Chairman.