No. 23

The Legislative Council, on the 29th of February last,
passed a resolution to request my predecessor to separate the
duties of the Auditor of Public Accounts from those of the
Colonial Secretary.

2. After due consideration I came to the conclusion that it
would be well to carry out the desire of the Legislative Council,
and I have, as a experiment, appointed Mr Robert Ker, Acting
Auditor General of the Colony for one year from 4th June 1864.

3. The expense entailed on the Colony by this experiment is
only one hundred pounds (£100). Mr Ker held the permanent appointment
of Chief Clerk in the Audit Office under the Colonial Secretary
on a Salary of Four hundred pounds (£400). I have, temporarily,
raised it to Five hundred pounds (£500).

4. I am happy to say that Mr Ker performs, as the head of a
Department, the duties of his Office very satisfactorily, and
I think it not improbable that I shall have to recommend to you,
and to the Legislative Council, a continuance of the present arrangement.