The Treasurer appears to have gone on the principle that when the
Crown Revenues paid for a particular Department, the fees received in
that Department should go to the Crown Revenue, but that when the
general revenue paid all the expenses of a Department, the fees
received in that Department ought to go to the credit of the general
revenue.
This appears to be equitable in itself, but I have no means of
stating how far it accords with general practice in places where
fines and fees are said to go to the Crown.
The choice seems to lie between accepting the explanation as
sufficient, or asking the Treasury whether they are of
that that opinion.
If the latter, I think that our letter should begin by some such
general remark as I have above offered.