A copy of the
accounts has to be deposited for public inspection for seven days
before the audit. The auditor has the fullest powers of investigation;
he may require the production of any books or papers, and he may
require the attendance before him of any person accountable. Any owner
of property or ratepayer may attend the audit and object to the
accounts, and either on such objection or on his own motion the
auditor may disallow any payment and surcharge the amount on the
persons who made or authorized it. Against any allowance or surcharge
appeal lies to the High Court if the question involved is one of law,
or to the Local Government Board, who have jurisdiction to remit a
surcharge if, in the circumstances, it appears to them to be fair and
equitable to do so. It will be seen that this is really an effective
audit.

Revenue of county council.

The sources of revenue of the council are the exchequer contribution,
income from property and fees, and rates. Before 1888 large grants of
money had been made annually to local authorities in aid of local
taxation. Such grants represented a contribution out of taxation for
the most part arising out of property other than real property, while
local taxation fell on real property alone. By the act of 1888 it was
provided that for the future such annual grants should cease, and that
other payments should be made instead thereof. The commissioners of
Inland Revenue pay into the Bank of England, to an account called "the
local taxation account," the sums ascertained to be the proceeds of
the duties collected by them in each county on what are called local
taxation licences, which include licences for the sale of intoxicating
liquor, licences on dogs, guns, establishment licences, &c. The amount
so ascertained to have been collected in each county is paid under
direction of the Local Government Board to the council of that county.
The commissioners of Inland Revenue also pay into the same account a
sum equal to 1-1/2% on the net value of personal property in respect
of which estate duty is paid. Under the Local Taxation (Customs and
Excise) Act 1890, certain duties imposed on spirits and beer (often
referred to as "whisky money") are also to be paid to "the local
taxation account." The sums so paid in respect of the duties last
above mentioned, and in respect of the estate duty and spirits and
beer a