Despatch to London.
Minutes (2), Other documents (1).
Seymour reports that he has appointed Robert Ker as Acting Auditor General. Blackwood minutes his recommendation that this appointment which will separate the office of
the Auditor from the Colonial Secretary, should be sanctioned.
No. 23
30th August 1864
Sir,
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, ActingAuditor
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
and to the Legislative Council, a continuance of the present arrangement.
I have the honor to be
Sir
Your most obedient
humble Servant Frederick Seymour
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
I think that this separation of the Offices of Col: Secy
& Auditor shd be sanctioned. The combination was made
in the first instance from motives of convenience & economy.
The Col: Secy will now have his hands pretty well occupied.
I conclude that Govr Kennedy's arrangement, reported in
6970, was only temporary.