✨ Auditor's Report Continuation
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I think it unnecessary to add anything to the observations made by me on this department in my last Report.
As a certain portion of the Land Fund has now to be put aside for specific purposes, it would be advisable that the accounts should be in some degree remodelled when the next year’s Estimates are taken. The Treasurer is bound to keep his accounts strictly in conformity with the Appropriation Ordinance, and it is my duty to see that he does so. Where alterations, therefore, are advisable, they must be made by the Council itself.
The Hon. Mr. Hall, the Secretary for Public Works, having applied to me to undertake the negotiations for the purchase of the lands required for the Great South Railway, I thought it right, after mature consideration, to comply with his request, leaving the amount of remuneration to be fixed by the Council. It did not appear to me that my undertaking this work could be regarded in the light of a contract between the Governor and myself, such as that prohibited by the Audit Act. On the other hand, it appeared that by undertaking it, I should be put in possession of information with regard to details which could not, in ordinary circumstances, come under my observation as Auditor. I believe the purchases which I have recommended the Government to make have in every instance been fair, both to the public and to the owners of land. And where extravagant claims have been made, the Government have in every instance adopted my advice, to refer them to a jury or to arbitration.
I cannot conclude without again congratulating the Council on the immense elasticity of the resources of this Province, which, with so small a population, and with so little borrowed capital, has been able to make so large an expenditure during the year as £406,168 5s. 1d., and has raised its credit at the bank from £8483 to £51,060 7s. 5d.
I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your very obedient servant,
WM. THOMSON,
Provincial Auditor.
Charles Bowen, Esq.,
Speaker of the Provincial Council, Canterbury.
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Canterbury Provincial Gazette 1864, No 34
✨ LLM interpretation of page content
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Auditor's Report on Provincial Financial Accounts
(continued from previous page)
💰 Finance & Revenue16 August 1864
Financial Accounts, Land Fund, Great South Railway, Audit Act, Provincial Council, Canterbury
- William Thomson, Provincial Auditor
- Hall (Honourable), Secretary for Public Works
- Charles Bowen (Esquire), Speaker of the Provincial Council
- William Thomson, Provincial Auditor