8.-l [Pt. ll].

4

year. The total disbursements up to the 31st March, 1920, amounted to £133,091,240, the expenditure since last report being £37,181,640. Steps are now being taken to pre-audit the distribution of the wool profits. The amount of £1,619,069 has been made available by the Imperial Government as the profits arising out of the Wool-sales Account up to 31st March, 1919. Miscellaneous. Stores Audit. The Audit Office has been fortunate in securing the services of a very capable officer as Stores Auditor, who will take up his duties as such on his return from Samoa, where he is engaged in reorganizing the stores system- and departmental administration. District Treasury Office. A District Treasury Office has been established in Auckland, and provision has been made by the Audit Office for a local audit to deal with the claims as received, which will not only make for prompt payment but for present and prospective economy in the purchase of supplies. Decentralization of the Public Trust Office. The decentralization of the Public Trust Office has also added to the work of the Department, and in order to maintain an efficient continuous audit special officers have been appointed to perform this work. Becent Legislation. Recent legislation has added largely to the Audit duties, and amongst those which have called for a great deal of attention are the many transactions under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, the Housing Act, and the Repatriation Act. Losses, Deficiencies, Debts Irrecoverable, &c, to be written off. Under a Treasury regulation recently issued the Audit Office is enabled to furnish a schedule of losses or deficiencies in cash, stores, or supplies for which authority will be sought from Parliament before such are written off the public accounts. The total amount for which indemnity is required is £40,897 Bs. 4d. as per statement attached. Patriotic War Funds. There is a vague sense of unrest as to the future of some of these funds, which it is highly desirable should be allayed at the earliest possible date, and the Audit Office is awaiting information which will enable it to issue instructions for final audits and the clearing-up of many of these outstanding but practically moribund accounts. Staff. The Controller and Auditor-General is indebted to the staff for the excellent manner in which they have carried out their duties. Robert J. Collins, Controller and Auditor-General. Audit Office, Wellington, 28th August, 1920.

Schedule of Imperfect Vouchers passed by the Audit Office under Authority of Section 69, Public Revenues Act, 1910.

1. Receipts not obtained. 2. Impossible to obtain receipts. 3. Receipts lost and could not be replaced. Name. Particulars. No. Amount. Total Amount. Collins, A. S. Gibson, W. W. .. Hudson, R. J. Butler, J. Butler, W. J. Butler, W. J. ' .. Clarke, S. J. Clarke, S.J.' Leggett, C. Collins, J. W. Adams, A. M. Jones, David 1 Agriculture Department. Expenses incurred when on Coal Trade Committoe Motor fare Travelling-expenses, timber control Board of Trade inquiry I £ s. d. 14 6 0 0 10 0 2 7 0 3 9 6 2 7 0 1 3 6 1 3 4 2 2 0 1 17 6 1 17 6 4 9 11 £ s. d. ,, .... Sleeping-berth in New South Wales Expenses in regard to wheat control 35 13 3 Caughley, J. Dick, E. S. Symes, W. H, Dr. Dyer, E. W. H. Pletcher, J. E. Williams, L. Education Department. Coach and steamer fares Cab-hire Hotel expenses and taxi-hire War bonus (original voucher lost) Board and residence in Auckland Coach fares 1 I 1 3 I 1 18 3 3 0 7 6 0 IS 0 1 r> 0 9 17 0 1 5 0 31 12 9 Wallis, W. S., Major Braddell, G. W. Rudd, T. F. S. Collins, A. Ryan, J. Defence Department. Launch-hire at Plymouth Salary, June, 1916 2 3 3 3 3 0 15 0 27 14 2 16 I 8 16 9 0 16 2 1 ,, >* 3'