July 20, 1903 (9th Parliament, 3rd Session)

As to a particular item it may be so, but the documents show that there are very large sums that are unused. Here aud there it is found impossible to keep the expenditure to the exact sum appropriated, and in sum cases by transfers from. one branch to another a readjustment takes place. This is not properly a vote of money, but it is simply to enable the Auditor General to square his accounts at the end of the year. I confess that for some years I had some difficulty in understanding why this was necessary, but it has been the practice of parliament for some years to vote an item of this character.
Scientific institutions and hydrographic surveys-amount required for time ball at Halifax N.S.. $1,000.