THE ESTIMATES ATTACKED.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XV, Issue 4724, 19 July 1890, Page 1

THE ESTIMATES ATTACKED.

(BY TELEGRAPH.) (from otjr OWN CORRESPONDENT.) WELLINGXONi J aly 18. Consideration of the Estimates was resumed to-night with the Colonial Secretary's Department, and sufficient indication was given before the House rose of a determined attempt towards farther, retrenchment. The first item attacked was the salary of the Clerk of the EkeouMve and Secretary to the Cabinet (L 500), bii which Mr John motion f <ir a reduction by LSO was affirmed by 49. to 21. On the item Messengers and; Office Keepers, L 4300, Mr Fish moved a reduction of L 270, the amount of increase made on last year's Estimates. Oq a vote being taken, 31 members went Into each' lobby, and the amount Was retained on thb Chair' l man's casting vote, whereupon Mr Rhodes moved to reduce the item by L's sb a proteat against the increase made, which was carried. When the Audit Office"; wa'B reached, Mr Ballance said that this was a department in which a substantial reduction could be made. As, a Deputy Auditor was being appointed, he conld very well take the work of the chief clerk, and L4OO could be saved. Basidea, tht Agent-General's London office was over-mannfd, and the vote for contingencies wsa too large. He moved to strike' off LI3OO, representing the salaries cf the chief clerk and the audit officer in London —L4OO each—and LSOO from the item tif L 2500 for travelling expenses and contingencies. Finding that the reduction was likely to be 03rried, the Colonial Secretary moved to report progress, in order to oonsult with the Auditor-General, which was agreed to.