B—l [Pt. ll]

Barque " Pamir " Voyage accounts prepared by the Marine Department have been examined and stand as follows: Dr. Cr. £ s. d. £ s. d. Voyage 1 .. .. .. 15,449 7 9 Voyage 2 .. .. .. 23,803 15 8 Voyage 3 .. .. .. 29,468 1110 Voyage 4 .. .. 1,76113 10 Voyage 5 .. .. 542 5 6 Voyage 6 .. .. .. 2,096 16 9 The reason for the drop in earnings over the three latest voyages appears to be in reduced earnings outwards from New Zealand, which for the six voyages made to date were—- £ Voyage 1 .. .. .. .. .. 29,500 Voyage 2 .. .. .. .. .. 41,301 Voyage 3 .. .. .. .. .. 40,506 Voyage 4 .. .. .. .. .. 8,650 Voyage 5 .. .. .. .. .. 5,700 Voyage 6 .. .. .. .. .. 6,000 The Union Steamship Co., Ltd., which acts as agent for the Government, has made the following comment on the position:— It would appear fairly obvious that the profits yielded in the first three voyages are due to full capacity loadings northbound, including quantities of wool with comparatively low stevedoring costs, and the losses in subsequent voyages due to carriage of only part cargoes of tallow with comparatively higher stevedoring costs. The Marine Department is now in communication with the Industries and Commerce Department in an endeavour to secure full loads and cargo of a more remunerative nature. MONEY OR STORES WRITTEN OFF Section 3 (3), Public Revenues Act, 1926 The above section provides that no moneys or stores may be finally written off and discharged from Public Account without the authority of Parliament, and the Treasury Regulations require that before presentation of relative items to Parliament the concurrence of the Audit Office and the Treasury shall have been obtained. A statement of moneys and stores in respect of which Audit concurrence to writing off has been given since last report is shown as to the more important items, in. the Appendix hereto. ROLL OF HONOUR It is with deep regret that the death on - active service of the undermentioned Audit officer has to be recorded. Mcßride, Sub-Lieutenant T. C. Gf., R.N.V.R. .. Killed in action, 10th August, 1945.

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