6

These accounts may be found set forth in Statement D.

That Statement exhibits the balances due by Collectors for the years
running from 1841 to 1853, inclusive, to be $346,494.74.

Statement E, contains an account of the balances in the hands of
Collectors, for 1854, which shows them to amount to $226,921.84.

Considerable difficulty arises in the collection of the tax upon the
assessed capital of Incorporated Institutions, from the failure of the
County Commissioners to report to this office the amount of such assess-
ments; and it is necessary, that some law should be passed, making it the
duty of said Commissioners to make such returns annually.

Action should also be taken by the Legislature in equalising and
regulating the Tax upon Mutual Fire Insurance Companies.

In some of the Counties, these Companies are properly assessed, and
pay their quota of taxation; while in others they either pay no tax upon
their Capital, or some inadequate amount. To this subject, however, it
is proposed, to call the attention of the Legislature hereafter.

STAMP DUTIES.

Statement No. 9, contains an account of the moneys received from
Stamp Duties, during the fiscal year, amounting to $71,010.92, of
which $47,844.87 were received from the Commissioner of Stamps, and
$23,166.05 from the Clerks of the several Courts.

It will be seen by a comparison of the amounts received, during this,
fiscal year, with the sum received in the year, ended 30th September 1853,
and in October and November succeeding, which in the aggregate
amounted to $61,450.64, that there is a large excess in favor of this year,
to the amount of $9,560.28.

Indeed, the payments into the Treasury for this year are the largest, by

far, ever made from this source of the Public Revenue.

While, therefore, credit is due to the Commissioner and other Officers
engaged in the collection of this Tax, it is suggested, that the present
system may amended, to the advantage of the State, both in the increase
of the amount, as well as the security of its collection.