A.—4.

62

the name of the depositor and the number of his deposit-book. There are twentyeight volumes of these ledgers, which contained on the 31st December, 1879, 17,214 separate accounts, on which the amount in deposit was £716,700. At the close of each year a statement is made up of the balance on each account in the ledger, showing a total balance, which coincides with that shown in the general balance-sheet of the office. Prom the cash-book the accounts are journalized and posted to a general ledger by double entry. Another register is kept for statistical purposes, Avhich shows the number of depositors of each trade or profession under the heads of accounts " opened," "closed," and "reopened." A book is also kept against each branch office showing the deposits and withdrawals for each day. Depositors are required to send in their books to the head office to be audited at the end of every year, but not more than two-thirds comply with the regulation. The Land Assurance Pund accruing in the Real Property Office is, by a special arrangement, deposited in the Savings Bank at 4 per cent, interest; as also are moneys lodged with the Government as deposits .on contracts. Two-thirds of the deposits in the Savings Banks must by law be invested in Government debentures, the rest, not required for working expenses, is placed at fixed deposit in the Banks. The balance in the profit and loss account is allowed to accumulate. It amounts at present to upwards of £17,000, which it is proposed to invest, in part, in a new building for the department. It is not evident at first sight how the Savings Bank paying 5 per cent, on deposits up to £100 and 4 per cent, up to £200, and investing two-thirds of its moneys in Government debentures, can have realized so large a profit. It is explained, however, that owing to broken portions of a month during which no interest is credited, the average of interest paid last year was about 4J per cent., whilst the average of the interest received on investments realized a little over 5 per cent., partly owing to a purchase some time ago of some 6 per cent, debentures at par. The 4 per cent, debentures held pay interest on the purchasing price at 4g per cent., and the fixed deposits in Banks have hitherto paid 5 per cent. The cost of this establishment is stated in the Estimates of 1880-81 as follows:— £ s. d. Accountant in Audit Office ... ... ... ... ... 50 0 0 In the head office in Treasury, Chief Clerk and Accountant ... 450 0 0 Ten clerks: At £350, £325, £265, £215, two at £150, three at £120, one at £120 ... ... ... ... ... ... 1,895 0 0 General: Branch office at Brisbane, one at £375, one at £120 ... 495 0 0 County offices and contingencies ... ... ... ... 1,800 0 0 £4,690 0 0 VI. Of Printing Offices. I regret that I was unable to obtain access to the Printing Office in Sydney, owing to the absence of the Government Printer.

New South Wales.

VICTOEIA

The Government Printing Establishment in Melbourne comprises several branches; the printing office, the Hansard office, the bookbinding, the warehouse and store, the advertising office, and the accountant's office. In the Printing Office all the ordinary printing required by the Government is carried on. That done for the Telegraph Department is very large. The cost of supplying the forms for telegrams is estimated to be about 6s. 4d. a thousand.