THE ESTIMATES

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 143, 17 June 1916, Page 9

THE ESTIMATES

VARIOUS VOTES

AMOUNTS LARGE AND SMALL.

There was nothing sensational in the Estimates submitted by the Minister of Finance (Sir Joseph Ward) to the House of Representatives last night. Following are some of the interesting items: — To provide for contingencies the vote for 'the expenditure in connection with naval defence is £100,000, the same as last year, when the expenditure was only £25,869.

The sum of £100 has been set aside for advances to New Zealanders stranded in England consequent upon the war. Last year the amount voted was £300 and the sum of £451 expended. A sum which did not figure in last year's Esl.iir.ates is £400 for allowances to an officer of the Justice Department who is temporarily performing higher duties.

The vote for medical service at Rarotonga is only £600, as against £1200 for 1915-16, all of which was expended. A reminder of the arrest of the prophet Rua is contained in the Estimates, an allowance of £93 being voted for Mr. A. T. Ngata, M.P., for services rendered m proceeding to Mangapohau to induce Rua to submit to arrest.

Investigations in connection with lime and phosphate deposits absorb the sum of. £300.

The Government's progressive 'policy in connection -with the fresh-water fisheries is indicated by the fact that the sum of £2300 is set aside for them in comparison with the grant of £1000 made last year.

The estimated expenditure on "census 1917" is £20,000.

The allocation for the cosii of the National Register is set down at £1000. For expert assistance at the Wellington Museum £10 is apportioned. The increases of £5 granted in the salaries of attendants and nurses at mental hospitals under the nsw scale accounts for £2250, and the special allowance to adjust ■ re-classification of attendants and nurses £750.

Last year £5000 was voted for the maintenance of the sanatorium and baths at Rotorua, and £4090 was expended. This year's grant is only £2000, probably due to the decreasei in . the tourist traffic due to the war.

A new feature is a vote of £2000 for investigations and treatment in connection with cancer, venereal diseases, and dental defects.

Cleanliness is next 'to godliness, and consequently the sum of £100 has been voted for baths for soldiers at the Wellington Public Tepid Swimming Bath. There is a marked increase in the amount available for paying the difference between ordinary and special railway fares for members of Expeditionary Forces. Last year it was £1500 (£6742 was expended) and this year it is £12,000.

Less expenditure is anticipated on the Government steamer Tutanekai this year, £500 being set down as compared with £1160 last year. > . That the expenses in connection with the raising and distribution of various relief funds are increasing is indicated by the fact that £4000 stands alongside that heading. Last year the estimate was £750, but £2772 was expended. Science has not been overlooked, two items being: Grant towards cost of publication of scientific results of the Mawson Antarctic Expedition, £500; grant to Philosophical Institute- for research work, £250. - -

New Zealand's proportion of the estimated deficiency on the Pacific cable is £1000.

Even ths wily and troublesome mosquito has not been overlooked, the Government being prepared to expend £110 on investigating his behaviour (or misbehaviour)' in New Zealand. The grant is a new one.

The sum of £16,000 is allowed under the vote for the Department of Internal. Affairs for- telegrams beyond New Zealand, as against £7000 last year, when £11,752 was expended.

The increase in the vote for paying warrant officer? (Defence Department) is £8100, being £10,125, in, lieu of £2025. Temporary clerical assistance accounts for £1000, whereas it was only £600 last year.

The amount set aside for rewards payable to police for securing convictions for certain breaches of the provisions of the Defence Act is £450. It was only £250 the previous year. A refund of £1874 is being made to the Cook and Nine Islands Governments as the amount equivalent to the Customs duties collected in New Zealand on. goods afterwards shipped, to those islands.

To encourage rifle shooting £75 has been apportioned for trophies, as may be approved by. the Minister of Internal Affairs, won abroad by New Zealand residents, or presented for competition (including cups for agricultural shows and trophies for rifle shooting matches). Included in the Estimates for the Department of Lands is the sum of £150 for payment to Mr. C. R. Pollen, late Commissioner of Crown Lands, Christchurchj of three months' salary—retired on three months' leave of absence.

To make good a burglary at the Wanganui State Coal Depot, £7 is apportioned.