Note Consolidated Company 2000 1999 2000 1999 $ $ $ $ Changes in assets and liabilities Trade debtors 1,361,086 (375,733) – – Other debtors (197,069) (177,830) – – Work in progress – 323,621 – – Prepayments 10,752 107,206 – – Inventory (161,355) (316,226) – – Trade and other creditors 749,280 34,720 (98,375) – Provision for income tax (718,533) (931,758) (3,885) 3,885 Future income tax benefit (346,520) (249,698) – – Provision for deferred tax 455,312 691,991 – – Loans - related parties – 40,375 – – Net cash flows from operating  activities 1,661,831 2,826,043 88,299 10,792 (b) Reconciliation of cash Cash balance comprises: Cash at bank 3,004,977 5,647,299 2,342,400 5,392,785 (c) Non-Cash Financing and  Investing Activities During the Financial Year the consolidated  entity acquired a vessel with an aggregate  fair value of $3,250,000, by way of hire  purchase. During 1998/99 the consolidated  entity acquired vessels and plant and  equipment with aggregate fair values  of $4,650,000 and $86,174 respectively,  by way of hire purchase. (d) Businesses Acquired On 12 August 1998, Mermaid Marine  Australia Limited (formerly Bellbridge  Investments Pty Ltd) acquired 100%  of the shares in Mermaid Marine Group  Pty Ltd. The acquisition details were: Consideration $ $ $ $ Cash paid for purchase of shares – 5,923,618 – – Buy back of shares – (4,500,000) – – Issue of shares as part of acquisition – 3,041,785 – – Pre-acquisition dividend – (2,076,382) – – Stamp duty payable on transfer  of shares – 55,590 – – Shares issued – 2,444,611 – – 49 ir NOTES TO AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2000