The Daily Southern Cross.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIII, Issue 3191, 8 October 1867, Page 2

The Dail y Sou thern Cros s.

LUOEO, NON T7BO. If I hm b«»n utinfniiliad, y«t tb«r« tin ▲ thonnuad b«»coni from the ipark I bor«.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8.

The Blue Book issued by the Provincial Government, of -which we have received a copy, being the Journal of the Provincial Council, session twenty-one, contains, amongst other interesting matter, tables of income and expenditure for the first five months of the year. It is to be regretted, however, that the totals are not given. Perhaps this was an accidental omission, but we must say that the public balance-sheets throughout the colony are presented in the least satisfactory manner possible. Of course, as usual on such, occasions, it is " the system " which is at fault ; but one would imagine that it would be so easy improving the system, that the thing might very well be done. However, we must be thankful for what we receive. It is also surprisirg that the publication of this exceedingly small volume should hare been so very long delayed. We cannot imagine any reason for this, and we trust that in future, as these records are of importance for public reference, the Clerk of the Council will see that as little delay as possible takes place in their issue after the close of each session. Referring to the official tables, we find matter for reflection. The estimated revenue for the year 1867 foots up £96,305 ; the actual revenue received for the first five months of the year was £26,288, being little more than half the amount which ought to have been taken to credit, if the estimate had been a correct one. The Superintendent told the House of Representatives in his memorable speech, that the estimates for 1867 were drawn up with the utmost regard for economy, and that after a careful review, on his taking office, he only found it possible to reduce the expenditure on the half-year by £2, 1 72. This amount, be it remembered, the Provincial Secretary assured the Council in June last, would be ample to meet the deficit on the year, although the Provincial Executive [ jaust have known at the time that this statement was entirely fallacious and misleading. How these gentlemen, who are " responsible," at least to public opinion, will justify that statement with the facts, when the time comes for calling them to account, -we cannot imagine ; at present, we should say that the task would be an extremely difficult one, except on the hypothesis that the Council will be imbued with that full measure of charity which " believeth " all things." No doubt, it will be attempted in good faith, and with the utmost candour ; but we suspect the provincial representatives will not be so easily satisfied that two and two make thirty, which is the arithmetical proposition the Executive are bound to solve to their satisfaction. If we look at the table showing the alterations and reductions in the estimates for the year, one cannot but be struckat thefavouritism and partiality of the plan of reduction adopted. Thus, we find officials of long service mulcted in very considerable sums, because they happen to have a moderate salary, in order that a host of underlings may be kept on full pay. The Provincial Accountant was not by any means overpaid, yet .£37 10s. has been struck off his half-year's pay. The Portmaster and Channel Pilot, Captain Burgess, who was the worst-paid officer under the Government, considering that he has been upwards of twenty years in the service, and is head of the Pilotage department of the province, lost £40 on the half-year; the assistant- wharfinger had £22 struck off his pay ; and the pilots at the Manukau and Kaipara each lost £25. By this means, £112 was screwed out of very deserving public servants, who held highly responsible and necessary offices. In the Waste Lands department we find the same system pursued. Cheese-paring economy was at work there. Of course, the Commissioner, the Hon. Colonel Peacocke,lost£so; but the ,working staff fared as badly. The Provincial Surveyor parts with £45 for the public good; the surveyor and examiner, and surveyor and custodier of plans, contribute £36 and £35 respectively j although these gentlemen have had many years of long and faithful service, and cannot well be dispensed with. No one can say that they were overpaid. However, the Executive in their wisdom thought it better to reduce the salaries of a few. good officers than get rid of a battalion of unnecessary ones; therefore, men of long service and ability were taxed for the benefit of those whose claims are slight, and whose services are of questionable value. The Public "Works Department was made a clean sweep of. However, with all this economy, and the flourish of trumpets by which it was introduced, it was only a drop in the bucket. The expenditure was not kept within the income ; and the province has been steadily going to the bad under the economical administration of the present Executive. If we turn to the table showing the appropriation for the past year, we find that the total is £91,476 175., and the actual expenditure on the departments, including £17,000 odd, interest on loans for the first five months, was £36,783 15s. Bd.; or £660 in excess of the proportion of five months' appropriation. It is a noteworthy fact also that several items of expenditure are only for one quarter, instead of for five months. The income for the five months was thus £26,288 3s. Bd. > the expenditure £36,783 15s. Bd. ; or exactly TEN THOUSAND FOUB HUNDBED AND NINETYfivb pounds twelve shillings more than the income, and all the liabilities for the five months not met. And yet, the Provincial Executive assured the Council, that a saving of £2,172 on the k»t hal-year, cm the appro-

priataon as above given, would square the account at the end of the year ! Now, one word regarding the future. After providing for the interest on loans and charges provided for by Act, we venture to predict that the Government will not be able fairly to estimate the revenue for the year 1868, open for general appropriation, at more than twenty-five thousand pounds. It is well that the public should know this We have j?^ne as carefully into the calculation aa ■w© I'ould, and this amount is the most we Oould set down as a surplus for the general service of the province.Let us ask, how are the *' establishmentsof the Provincial Government *' to be maintained in a state of due efficiency" xm this paltry sum ? There are a few establishments which will of themselves absorb every farthing of the £25,000, and what is then to become of the pet departments, for which so much has been already done ? For instance, taking the appropriations of Jast year as a fair criterion, we find that the police, hospital, gaol, lunatic asylum, harbours and ferrics — all of which must be provided for — will absorb thirty thousand pounds, or £5,000 more than the whole sum open for appropriation. Then, what is to become of tide Superintendent's salary, the Provincial Executive, waste lands and survey department; — what is to become of the sick and destitute, the aged and infirm, the "widows and orphans, and the education of our youth, not to speak of other legitimate heads of expenditure ? This is a point to which we desire thus early to direct attention. The outlying districts ought to know it, for they^are chiefly interested. The public estate has been squandered by successive Governments. Extravagant and unnecessary departments have been kept up ; and now, when all but the Provincial officials perceive the hopelessness of the case, they cling to place and pay as if determined to scramble to -the last for. the public spoil. We say, Provincialism is doomed in Auckland ; and it is for the country settlers, who are about to enjoy the blessings of direct taxation, to prepare its bier.