THE COLONIST. NELSON, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, ISfiS. THE FINANCES OP NEW ZEALAND.

Colonist, Volume VIII, Issue 823, 19 September 1865, Page 3

THE COLONIST. NELSON, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, ISfiS. THE FINANCES OP NEW ZEALAND.

Our correspondence from Wellington has touched generally on the state of the finance of tlie Government of the Colony Perhaps a recapitulation of the main points may be useful here, taken in connection with the Budget speech of the Finance Minister, which we printed in our last issue. The Gross Eevenue as estimated is as follows (the new items of taxation—distillation and stamps—are marked by an asterisk): Customs £780,000 * Distillation 5,000 * Stamps (for 6 months) 37,500 Postal 45,'H)ii Judicial 28,000 District Courts AOOO Registration of Deeds and Land 16,00;) Fees on Issue of Crown Grants 5,000 Native Funds Act (Fees and Duty) ... 5,000 Marine Board 9,000 Telegraphs 6,000 Miscellaneous 3,000 £943,500 The estimated ordinary expenditure for the service of the year is set down in a "lump" sum thus:—■ Total ordinary expenditure for the service of the year £950,000 But in addition to this there is an extra-

ordinary expenditure, estimated as under: — Expenditure necessary to be incurred on account of the regiments of Military Settlers, for liabilities entered into prior to November, £270,966 Defence Force 23,954 Surveys 20,0 0 Compensation under "New Zealand Settlements Act" 2(\00'l Lighthouses, telegraphs, and cable 45,000 Reinstatement of Taranaki 40,000 Arrears of contribution to main postal line 42.000 Taranaki land purchase fund 32.000 Government domain 18,000 Unauthorised general expenditure 124,985 Making a total proposed expenditure amounting to £636,907 These sums together make nearly one million six hundred thousand pounds, which will just a little more than absorb the balance of the three million loan unspent in June last, and eat up the whole of the estimated revenue. If that estimate shall be so much above actual revenue as was Mr. Eitzherbert's last year's calculations touching the Customs, we shall be in a much worse position than we are now. That there is not very exact data to go on may be surmised from the fact that Mr. Eitzherbert's estimates of last year were far from correct as regarded the Customs. The Colonial Treasurer gave tho estimated revenue for the period of two years at £1,493,708. Eor the sake of giving a portion, at least, of that information which the Einancial Minister hides, we shall give the estimated and actual revenue thus: — Mr. Reader Wood's Estimated Revenue for 1863-64, was £691,600 The Actual Revenue for the year was... 727,367 Giving an actual increaseoutlie Estimates of £ 36,767 Mr. Eitzherbert's Estimates for 18(3-1-05 was £502,000. It is difficult to find the particular items of this estimate, but a large sum, at one time spoken of as about £198,000, was tho supposed product of the increased customs duties. The actual revenue and the estimated aro> however, very different. A\ re shall restrict ourselves to the customs because of the involvements which we cannot unravel. Mr. Fitzherbert gives us the following figures: — Estimated Customs Revenue for 1861-65 without the increase £605,700 Estimated increase for 7 months at the reduced rate of £180,000, on the year 105,000 710,700 Actual Customs Revenue for 1861-65... 038,000 £ 72,700 Thus by £72,700 Mr. Fitzherbert overestimated the cus'oms resources ; and chat too although there was nearly half the year gone before the Estimates were made. Will his stamps be as productive ? We shall see ; but if there is failure of foresight, failure in calculation , what then? What becomes of responsibility ? Melancholy Accident.—We much regret having to announce the sudden death of Mr. Endacott, of Suburban North. Au accidental fall from liis horse, while in Colling wood-sl>-eet, yesterday afternoon, was the immediate cause of death. An inquest will take place this morning at the Miners' Anns. Thatciitcu. —Last night, the Odd-fellows Hall was tolerably filled with an audience apparently very ready to give Mr. Thatcher a warm reception on his re-appearance in Nelson. On this occasion we liave little space to enumerate all Ihe good things Ihat were sung and said. Madame Vitelli was as successful as ever in pleasing ballads ; Mr. Small was full of newsongs ; the trios were very well done; and Mr. Thatcher as amusing as ever. " Responsible Advisers," " I'he Address," " Reminiscencies of Hokitika," and other titles covered a fund of humorous hits, which kept the audience in roars of laughter. The lastnamed composition alone is inducement enoiuih to (111 tlie house. The clever musical accompaniments of Mr. Oakey were enhanced by the possession of an admirable piano of Mr. Darby's, of fine tone and great power. Fi.opii.—From the Argus of the Olh instant we take tho following :—" Ad'i-hiide, September S. The price of wheat has advanced. Large sales have been made to-day at Bs. S.Vd. and Ss. 9 1 per bushel. Flour is expected to advance in proportion." The ,Ti'ly Mail.—The same paper says:—"The July mail from England was due at Adelaide yesterday, and in Ilobson's Ray to-day. The steamer, however, had not been telegrnplied from Glenclg at (he hour at which the Argus was sent to press." Captain Lown'e, of Ihe steamer Barwon, however, says:—" As the Earwon was coining down Ilobson's Ray the flag was hoisted nt the flagstaff signalling the arrival of the English Mail at Adelaide." We may therefore expect it here by the Sydney steamer tomorrow. "Police Court.—Yesterday, Captain Smith, of the brigantine Triton, was charged, on the information of the chief oflicer of Nelson police, with having concealed, on board bis ship, a seaman named Frederick Smeed, who had deserted from the barque Eudora, now lying in Nelson. Evidence having been taken at length the Court adjudged the defendant to pay a fire of £20 and costs. Tin: Overland Route.—A letter from Cobden, dated the 11 tli instant, says :— " It is a great error to advocate travelling overland to this place. Almost all suffer who come this way, and many come who say that for several days together they have been without provisions, ami became so exhausted that tbey left their swags behind them. Some have been three weeks on the track. If the weather were fine it would be a different thing, but there aro several days' travel between Snow's party and any settled district. One man said, in reply to inquiries respecting the track, " I would rather be shot than be compelled to travel back by the same road." The new rush is said to contain "pile" claims, and good prospects have been obtained close to Cobden, but heavier finds up the country leave them in the shade for the present."