THE PROVINCIAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1826, 29 May 1874, Page 3

THE PROVINCIAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

We give the following abstract of the speech of Mr Iteed, Provincial Treasurer, in introducing the Appropriation Bill': — Mr Beed said it would be observed that although they had already advanced some four months in the year 1874 their cilcaiations were based on the ordinary financial year. On a most cursory glance at the estimates it would be seen that although the sum total of revenue was a large one, there had been- no material increase in the amount of revenue estimated to be received from the ordinary provincial sources.' The large amount that was shown was mainly made up of the two items of land revenue, au-1 £ 10,000 adVance from the General Government, the first of the ordinary sources of revonue to which ho would refer was the item " capitation and special allowance, £10,000." In 1873, although the estimite was £8,000, the sum actually received was £14,179. But of the latter amount the sum of £5,000 aud upwards was received in the month of January, and was a payment that belonged to the previous year. The population at the present time, according to the recent census, was 65,500, and takiugthatas a basis, aid making due provision for all deductions, would leave a capitation allowance to be received by the province for the year 1874 of £10,000. The next item to which, he would refer was that of provincial revenue. During the past year the amount actually received under that head had been £20,007 5s 6d. The estimate last year was not so much; but, although there were some deductions in connection with this particular item, he thought, on the whole, he was warranted in assuming that during the year the amount derivable from provincial revenue proper would not be less than, that placed on the estimates, namely, £20,000. The items during the past year wore made up as follows:—Sharebrokers' fees,£lso. That, of course, would be less than this year; the nest item was pawnbrokers' licenses, £50; that would ba about the sane. Last year the fees received under the Dog Nuisanco Act amounted to £134 9s° lOd; if tho administration of the Act was handed over to the highway boards it would be necessary to hand over the fees also in order to enable them to carry it out. Tho amount received for water rents, city aud shipping, was £898 13s 01; that, he thought, would not be less this year. Auctioneers' licenses (£581) would not diminish, but probably increase. Auctioneers' spirit licenses, £50; that would bo wanting this year. Packet licenses, £27; there wouldprobably be an increase in this item. Publicans' licenses, £10,759 10i Some houses had been closed, and a few had the license fee lessonod, but he thought that on the whole there would not be a diminution; nor would there be in tho amount receivable from bush licenses which last year animated to £573 Wholesale spirit licenses, £880; there, would probably be a slight increase on that sum for this year, lie had sot down the ostim ited return from gold, duties at £3,003 The actual sum received from this source during the past year was £10,976; but £3,000 and upwards was received in the month of Janmry, having been leapt, ia hand by buyers until the new duties came into force. He thought, however, that if they

took into account the increased activity at the Thames, and the prospects of that field and Coromandel, they would be warranted in calculating this item nt £8,000. Hon. members would observe that the next item—coldfields revenuewas set down at £3,500. Last year it was estimated to return £5,500, but the actual returns were £3,626. Although up to the present time there had been.so small an amount received under this head by the Treasury, yet he thought, when they considered tho impetus likely to be given to mining at the Thames ami Coromandel, the activity which was at present visible, and the increased leasing, that the Government were warranted in anticipating that the amount estimated would bo received. The next item was | one he was exceedingly pleased to seeI royalty upon coal at Jlavyakawa mines, I £1,000. Of course, hon.. uienbers were aware'that there was a considerable debt owing by that coil company to the province which had never been forgiven, and such was not denied.. The Government were informed that they were now disposed to begin to pay the royalty. ' Of course he could not say whether they were willing or not to liquidate all arrears, but at all events within a few weeks a considerable sum of money would he received by the Treasury from the company, and he thought In "was justified in estimating that £1,000 would be received during the year. To the next item he need not particularly refer-the refund of the Board of Education -£5,000. Hon, members were aware that a sum of £13,000 altogether had been advanced tothe Board of Munition, Possibly it might seem to lion, members that they had but a pjor look out with reference to this at the present time. He did not think so. Whether the rating clauses in the Kducation Bill became law or not, it would be necessary to make some provision for carrying on the work of tho Board of Educaliin. He believed those clauses were based upon an estimate which would be realised, and if the Board of Education received £22,000 from any sourcp, and in that sum was included £9,000 advanced by the province, ha was' warranted in expecting that £5,000 .would ba refunded. He now came to what might bo regarded as the most important item on the estimate, namely, the land revenue. Ho was aware that many hon. members would open their eyes with astonishment on seeing the large sum set down -£32,000; but lie thought he could show that he was warranted in expecting that the estimate would be realised. The Provincial Treasurer referred to the details of the laud revenue which might be expected.' The next item ho would not refer to at any great length, It waimu-ely an advance, and there was no advantage whatever claimed for it, except those arising from an advance. It was to be paid in three amounts of £6,000 each. The first £6,000 was to ba \>&<i on the passing of the Appropriation Bill, and £6,000 at the expiration of each following three months. The only advantage they would derive from it would be that it would enable them to anticipate their land revenue, and he believed they were warranted in calculating upon a considerable land revenue. It would appear among the appropriation for the reason that it was one of the con iitions on which the money was obtained, in order that the various services and works to which the sum was to be appropriated might be submitted to the General Assembly when it met in July. Of course, he was aware that only the £18,000 would be received during the present year, and it was very clear that the appropriations, with the expenditure, must extend over a considerably longer period. JVow, this might seem to diaturb the'r calculations; but he did not think there was anything confusing or disturbing in it, because although they could only receive £18,000 during the present year. A t the sime time it would be observed that they placed down the sum of £15,000 t) be repaid, and that was not to be repaid in the present year. The understanding was, that the total amount was to be paid in two years, and the £15,000 would be paid some time or other during the expenditure of the total sum of £19,000. Tf they only received £18,000 this year, they should not have to pay the' £15,000. Those two suras together would am unfc t0£33,000, which would be wiilhiu £7,000 of the £10,000. However, as he said before, they claimed no advantages derivable from the. £10,000, except that it was an advance enabling them to anticipate their land revenue. Having gone into detail with regard to the anticipated revenue, he would not detain hon. members with any details with reference to the estimates just placed in their hands. It would be seen that there were some alterations from the previous departmental estimates, but they were not very material. There was no increase in the item of Provincial Executive, except £10 given to one of the messengers. He was perfectly aware what the hon. gentleman referred to. There was a re-arrangement of the items, but there was no increase. Last year the total of the department was £2,165, and',this .year,- it was £2,175. There was an increase under the head of police. He thought this was required. The difference between the payment of the police in this and the other provinces was such that they might have expected their police service would simply act as a recruiting servico for the Southern provinces. There was a small increase proposed which he thought would be sufficient for the present occasion. There was also an increase in the item of Gaols, and also to a small extent in that of the Lunatic Asylum. It would be observed that under the heading of Gaols there was a considerable increase. Two new Gaols were being established, one at Ngaruawahia and one at GisbDme. They would necessitate items being placed on the estimates. It would also be noticed that there was an inoroise under the heading of harbours. This was making provisions for the establishment of a harbour and pilot service at 'auranga and Gisborne. He need not refer in detail to tho publio works as specified in the osti*mates. It would be found that thero was a very largo increase in those items. Altogether, the hon. gentlemen would observe from the summary, the liabilities at tho present time, including the £15,000 to be repaid to the General Government, were £33,830 Ms 91; departmental expenses, £11/112 Is 101; miscellaneous, £5,963 6s 8.1; public works, £47,800. He begged to move the second reading of the Appropriation Bill. On tho tuition of vlr Hurst, tho debate was adj mrned until Friday