COLONIAL FINANCE.

New Zealander, Volume 1, Issue 29, 20 December 1845, Page 2

COLONIAL FINANCE.

It will be recollected by our readers, that some time since, we drew their attention to this most important subject; and from the <Jimited information we possessed, in consequence of the studious silence, mystery, and pertinacious withholding of all information by the authorities, — we made our calculations on what little data we could collect, from the garbled official documents which from time to time, were brought to light, during the sitting of the Legislative Council ; and more particularly, from the broad assertion, put forth at the end of the last financial year, — in March, 1 845, — that the local government had paid all their debts. We more particularly recall to the consideration of the public, the last sentence : — because, be it remembered, it was the basis of our calculations and remarks; — in our declaration of the amount of Government debentures, at that period, which must be in circulation. What was our assertion ? — That, either the Local Government had not paid all their liabilities, — or, if they had, that the amount of debentures in circulation must be, by figures, above thej sum of Forty Five Thousand Pounds. Our figures were derided, — and our observations were declared to be merely the ebul lition of editorial assumption of knowledge, which could only be possessed by the Colonial Treasury, and the still more intelligent financial department of the Audit office ! ! ! ! But lo !—"! — " a change has come o'er the spirit of the dream!" On the arrival of Captain Grey, he, very wisely called upon these officials, to produce authenticated vouchers of the true state of the finances of the colony, that, not only himself, but likewise, that the whole body of settlers shall know the truth, — the whole truth. On our analysis of these official papers, laid on the table, by order of his Excellency, on the first day of the meeting of the Legislative Council, we would request the serious attention of our readers. The first important document is — A statement of the Assets and Liabilities of the Colonial Treasury of New Zealand, on the 15th November, 1845.

Now, by these figures, it is clearly proved that on the 1 5th November last, there was in the chest of the Colonial Treasury, the small sum in specie of £227 9s Id. But of far more importance, still in proof of our previous assertions, the statement shews that the local government had not paid all their debts, in March, 1845 : for there were outstanding at that time, the two sums of £400 and 0£2,000, which had they been actually redeemed, would have raised the actual issue of Government debentures to the amount of £48,991 4s. 4d.! ! Having thus proved, we conceive, incontrovertibly, that we were correct, in our previous assertions, as to the actual amount of issue of these Government debentures, we shall dismiss this document, with merely the remark, that there is no "-annexed statement, 1 ' in the Government Gazette, in which this official document appears, of the balance due to her Majesty's government of £13,324. 13s. 10d.; therefore we shall pass on to other more interesting financial returns, which have been published in this same Gazette of Tuesday, 1 6th Dec, 1845, by directions of His Excellency, the Lieutenant-Governor for general information. These returns are, in the Gazette, published distinctly, for each of the three quarters, from Ist January to 30th September; but in stead of being a mode of conveying general information, — and if our readers will take the trouble to wade through the jumble of items, ' without order, in the three quarterly returns, — we think they' will concur with us, that they are more likely to mislead, than to inform. We have amused ourselves by putting this mass of mysti fted incongruous heads of Revenue and Expenditure for the three quarters, under one intelligible abstract, and on the numerous inconsistent items, we purpose to make some

remarks. We now call serious attention t0 the following — ■ Return of Revenue and Expenditure for three Quarters commencing Ist January and ending 30th September, 1845.

It will be observed, that our analysis of the Revenue, received during these three quarters, separates the actual receipts from the auxiliary debenture issue. This side of the official statement requires no other comment, than to draw attention to the fact, — that, there have been manufactured debentures to represent above Twenty-five Thousand Pounds, since the Ist January last. It is to the enormous Expenditure of Thirty-five Thousand seven hundred and seventy pounds, for these three quarters, that we would draw most serious consideration and investigation. The separate details of Expenditure in the three quarterly documents published in the Gazette, are a mass of items without order or under proper distinct heads. To elucidate and render intelligible these confused figures, we have arranged them so as to bear some reference to the "Abstract of the Estimate of the probable expenditure for the Financial year 184-5,-1846." This abstract as passed by the Legislative Council, and published by the Colonial Secretary, is arranged under nineteen distinct heads ; the last being " General Contingencies." We would here remark, that in the same Gazette, in which these three quarterly returns appear, there is also published an " Estimated amount of Receipts and Expenditure of the Colonial Government of New Zealand for the year 1845," Of these estimates of probable revenue and expenditure,— we have become

most heartily sick ; for they have ever proved! to be most preposterously improbable, absurd, and fallacious. This now before us, to which we have alluded, is " ejusdem generis," as its predecessors ; and "will only excite laughter and ridicule. The mode of its concoction is most palpable, and is worthy of the genius of the brightest arithmetician from its extreme simplicity' It is this — to the amount of the three quarters, of each item of receipt, or expenditure, — • add one third, and the total is the estimated amount. The return of actual expenditure, during the three quarters, as put forth from the Audit office, contains forty-four items, exclusive of another for " Miscellaneous." We have placed twenty five of these particulars, under their proper head, " General Contingencies," as "being not otherwise provided for." On the sums expended for the different branches of the public service, there is nothing to remark until the twelfth item, viz< — Survey Department, £1,716 11 0. — for the three quarters of the year. It will be remembered that there was much discussion on this subject in the Legislative Council of March last. It was pertinently then contended that this I department was originally -intended to be paid from the proceeds of the Sale of Crown Lands, and not to be a tax on the colonists,— rand as there was no longer any Land Fund, it ought to be reduced to the very lowest - amount. The original amount proposed was, £1,600. On this an amendment was made by Mr. Whitaker, to reduce it to .£lOOO , but of course, without effect. Subsequently the sum as it now stands in the printed' estimates - before us, was inserted at £1,400. Our readers will perceive on reference to our figures, that no less a sum than £ 1,7 16 11. 0. during the first three quarters of the year has been expended ! and the estimated amount 1 for the whole year 1845, of the Survey department is £2,280. The next item — Public Works— is of similar character. In the Appropriation Ordinance, the sum of £1,420 was ordered ior public works ; yet in the first three quarters of the year, there has been expended £2,205 1. 3. Passing on, we come to the Protectorate of Aborigines, for which the original sum was j£ 1,900, and we, find expended for that particular department, during the three quarters, no less an amount than £1,837 8. 6., and for the whole current year, the charge will be, according to the official estimate, £2,450. But still more glaringly inconsistent are the items not placed under any of the nineteen heads, and which we have placed under that of General Contingencies,— -for which, the sum ; in the A'ppropriatioh Ordinance,- is jgrpJCKf" for the whole year, yet during' the first three quarters of it, there has been disbursed Eleven thousand, four hundred, and nine pounds! Without troubling our readers with many more observations, on this precious specimen . of Colonial Accounts and Finance, we would ask what is meant by " Local Courts ?" In the Appropriation Ordinance, provisions was made for the Judicial establishment, — comprising Supreme Court and Coroners, — by a vote of 2,660 Z., and which has been proportionately expended, 'during the first three quarters in the sum of 2, 1 38J 1 1. 3. But in this official return for the three quarters, there is the item, Local Courts, 970Z 15. 2. But there is another item for which we cannot account, — Survey of Manukao Harbour, 416J 8. 3. — When the Appropriation Ordinance, was passing through the Legislative Council, and the Survey department was the subject of discussion, Captain Fitzroy observed " that the Survey of Manukao had been entirely at his own individual expense and there-, fore in allusion to some observations which had been made elsewhere, as to his selection of the Surveyor appointed to that service, he conceived he had a right to disburse his own money in his own way, and, on whom he pleased."— Southern Cross, 1 5th March, 1845. After such public assertions, what can this large amount mean ? It will be observed among these contingencies, there is a sum of 210^ 15. 0. for " Native Trust." There is no such Trust in existence, for by the 28th clause of the Native Truat Ordinance, which passed the. Legislative Council on the 29th June, 1844;— it does not come into operation until it shall have received the Royal confirmation, and until such confirma- [ tion shall have been notified accordingly in the New Zealand Government GazetteThere is much more for exposition and censure, in these figures, which we must defer to some future period and we shall conclude our present remarks by asking— Why do not these quarterly returns bi-ar the signatures of the Commissioners of Audit ? Are not they the responsible Officers ?

Native War. — In our last number, we gave some succint account of the differences, and conflict that had taken place between the native chiefs Wetere and Katepa. Since that time, Toahere, a chief, who was dangerously wounded by a ball through the lungs, and who was brought to the hospital of the Chief Justice at Tairura, has died. We learn also, that the schism has not abated, although Wetere still preserves a defensive line only. The Rev. Mr. Maunsell, who resides near the

seat of war, at .the Waikato heads, has addressed a letter to the government, strongly utging the preseuce of some military force there to protect Wetere from the sudden attacks of Katepa, which, it is conjectured he will make in the night ; and that it is also necessary that the government should watch this present difference narrowly, in order to he prepared for any collusion of the chiefs, which is far from improbable, of the whole of the Waikato tribes, with a view suddenly to surprise and attack Auckland. But we consider that the town of Auckland itself, requires more protection than it has at present, considering its proximity to the Thames and Waikato. We trust that" when the anticipated reinforcements arrive, this important subject will not escape the consideration of his Excel - leney Governor Grey.

Wesleyan Sabbath School. — It will be seen by advertisement that collections are to be made, in aid of this institution, in the Wesleyan Chapel, to-morrow, after the morning and evening services. The scholars will undergo a public examination, at half-past two o'clock ; and an address will be delivered to the children and those of their parents and friends who may be present on the very interesting occasion. On the day after Christinas, the children who receive instructions at this School are to be regaled with a plentiful supply of cakes, sweet-meats, &c, &c, upon the grounds surrounding the Chapel ; where we doubt not there will be a numerous assembly of those of our townspeople who most properly desire to countenance such very laudable and necessary institutions.

Takapuna. — The industrious settlers in this district suffer much annoyance, as well as loss of property, from continual depredations of their pigs, poultry and vegetables. It is not supposed these robberies are committed by residents in the district, but by persons ■who go even from Auckland, and in the night time, obtain and bring off their plunder.

Amount of specie in the Treasury chest Sums due by private Individuals, exclusive of the debt due to the Crown, by the late Collector of Customs . £575 0 0 Deduct doubtful or bad debts 303 0 0 £. s. d. 227 9 1 272 0 0 Balance ' £499 9 1 53,440 4 1 £53,939 13 2

Assets.

£. s. d. Debentures. Total amount of Issue £46,591 4 4 Withdrawn from circulation 9,776 5 0 36,814 19 4 Bills drawn on British Treasury, refused acceptance, outstanding this day, exclusive of interest Draft- on -Sydney -unpaid, exclusive of interest . • •, Amount of salaries, &c, of Northern district in warrant for payment . Balance due to her Majesty's government, on account of advances for Immigratiou, Civil services, *&c, as per annexed statement 400 0 0 2,000 0 0 1,400 0 0 13,324 13 10 £53,939 13 2

Liabilities.

£. s. d. 1 Governor and Establishment . 1,248 1 6 2 Colonial Secretary and Printing Est. 1,412 19 10 3 Law Officers of the Crown . . 447 18 4 4 Colonial Treasury . .. 889 6 11 5 Council Office . . . 353 17 6 6 Audit . . . 253 16 6 7 Customs .... 1,757 19 10 8 Superintendent of Southern Division 582 811 9 Judicial — Supreme and Coroners 2,138 11 3 0 Sheriff and Gaols . . . 1,864 710 1 Magistrates and Police . - 4,917 4 1 2 Survey Establishment . . 1,716 11 0 3 Public Works, &c. . . • 2;205 1 3 4 Colonial Vessels . . • 1,430 1 9 5 Harbour Establishment . . 908 17 3 6 Ecclesiastical and Schools . . 365 0 0 7 Medical . . ' . 31 3 0 8 Aborigines . • • 1,837 8 6 £24,360 15 2

9 General Contingencies Land Claim's Commission- * Local Courts Registry . . • Imprests . Refunds of Custom's Duties " Property Rate Bills drawn on British Treasury, and not accepted NewZealandCompany'sSettlements Survey of Manukao Harbour Interest on Debentures Relief to destitute Persons Native Trust Purchases of Land Parkhurst Boys Gunpowder from the "I Don't Know" Presents to Aborigines, acting with Troops Stationery and Fuel Postages .... Militia . Passages on Public Service Boat hire for Troops Freight of Vessels Arms and Rations Defences at Auckland, &c. Miscellaneous 1,776 9 6 970 15 2 252 10 0 3,784 17 6 666 16 4 10 10 0 723 8 7 429 8 9 410 8 3 141 5 0 282 10 4 210 15 0 99 11 3 40 3 0 11 1 3 395 9 6 183 7 6 103 14 3 306 5 3 105 16 0 119 8 10 180 0 0 34 5 6 139 9 4 24 17 6 Balance for the service of next Quarter 35,769 18 10 15,213 0 8 £50,982 19 6

Expenditure.

Debentures Interest, 8 per cent £1,550 0 0 " 5 " 21,448 0 0 Without Interest 2,213 5 0 Parliamentary Grant Bills on British Treasury, for N. Z. Company's settlements 25,191 5 0 7,913 10 0 1,737 10 0 £50,982 19 6

Auxiliary Receipts.

balance remaining from 1844 £. s. 4,421 2 9 Actual Receipts. 1 Customs .... 2 Property Rate 3 Licenses— £„ s. d. Publicans' . . 997 0 0 Auctioneers' . . 954 9 8 3,333 15 1,457 11 6 2 1,951 9 8

Fees and I'ines— Supreme Court . 340 2 Police Court . . 376 6 Local Courts . . 224 18 Land Titles and Deeds 427 15 Registration . . 86 15 ixr. • ■ t» i:~_ in o 2 6 9 0 2 T Waiuini* Prn.omnhnn 1 Q S

5 Sales of Crown Lands . ->. 6 Occupation License 7 Sales of Stores 8 Sales of Printed Papers 9 Rent of Powder Magazine - 0 Imprests repaid 1 Surcharges 2 Debts due from Individuals 3 Crown's Moiety of a Seizure 1' Bills on Hobart Town .5 Miscellaneous 227 7 20 5 123 5 23 9 5 1 2,648 10 18 18 316 13 19 11 82 0 14 12 z 2 0 0 8 6 4 7 4 6 0 2

Revenue.