DUNEDIN.

Dunstan Times, Issue 242, 14 December 1866, Page 3

DUNEDIN.

(from a correspondent.)

10th Dec. The Treasurer, Mr Vogel, made his financial statement, from which it appeared the expenditure of the past year ending 30th September was 1,38 089, over and above the revenue received, though' that exceeded the estimated revenue by Lr>s,G73. I drn't pretend to be a great financier, but, without a doubt, I was appalled at and awaited with breathless anxiety the statement for the coming year. As there is to be a general election the Treasurer deemed it politic to pivc an estimate of revenue and expenditure for six months which is as follows—estimated revenue LISO,OOO, and expenditure L 100.000; thereby, as you see, there is still a deficit of LIO,OOO, adding that to the L 38.000 over expenditure of the past year makes a good round sifm. Tfie Treasurer in his statement confessed his inability to cope with the subject thoroughly; kit. he thought by searching and investigating th<s system "of accounts as he had done, he had j/dned an amount of information that few hon. members of that House posseWl -He entered minutely and elaborately and to sum up expressed an opimoSShat with an entire change in the present svstJfflr of accounts and the decentralizing of expenditure, the true remedy for many of the existing evils would be found. Using his own words, he savs " I believe that wahave in Otago all the resources necessary for making the Province a very model of prosperity, and I think that if we use these resources wisely, it will not be long before Otago will attain a position that will make it the envy of its neighbours." The member for Manuhefikfa, managed to onen his mouth on Friday last, he seconded Mr Haughton's motion "That a return of the excess of expenditure over the contract price of the Qneenstown Jetty, be laid on the table." How the matter effects you I cannot say. ■ The subject of reduction or equalisation of tolls has at last come before the Council, and there is an evident intention to rate two and four wheeled vehicles alike. So much for every horse drawing, is about what is wanted. Some of the new Mnnicipalitiea have presented copies of their Bye-Laws for confirmation, it appears they have to lay on the table of the House fourteen dayß. Those Country Municipalities who have .not sent down copies will not be able to put any ia force. i

The Treasurer, Mr Vogel, ia big in bis immigration scheme and appears to fully understand the wants of the country. An increase of population is indispensible to the well being of the Province.

Members who cannot speak on a subject appear to take considerable trouble to obstruct the business of the session, and areconstantly asking to be forwarded with' returns of what, if they had any sense, they should find out for themselves. Sir Brown one of the Tuapeka members asks, "That there belaid on the table a return of all applications for, agricultural leases in tho Tuapeka district, "wifii all correspondence relat-. ing to such applications." Mr Haughton has given notice of motion to move on subjects effecting the goldiields' interest ; his motion stands thus: —" That the goldfields' department should be under the immediate direction of a member of the Government, assisted by a permanent under-secretary, whose duties sbrwcld in a great measure consftt in visiting and inspecting each field, and reporting to the head of the department. 2. That the* Agricultural and Mining Survey Departments should be under the direction of the chief-surveyor of of the province ; but that instructions should be given with reference to the mining surveys, that the surveyors take their orders from the warden —the 'modus operandi' being left with the chief-surveyor. 3. That all arrears of surveywork be at once overtaken by additional staff, and that the permanent staff be sufficient to give every facility to rapid and secure settlement. 4. That the conditions of the agricultural leases should be such as to secure the ' bona fide' occupation and improvement of the lands by the classes contemplated in the Act. That periodical inspection of the accounts should be made by the'&uditor, and that due security should b*s taken from all officers receiving public-money. t>. That there should be a re-distribution of the officers and a readjustment of the boundaries cf the goldfields." This ought to make a sweeping reform, and should Mr Haughton succeed in carrying out such a sweeping reform of established customs, he will deserve the thanks of every in Olago —he at least should_be the head of the department. The result of Perry's crushing caused a great sensation here, everybody, as usual, expected more than what wa3 got. Mining-speculations appear to hang fire at present, and I think you hare got'as much, money'from Duitcdin as you will get for some fime to colne, or at least, till a reaction takes place, when you may again become recipients of a trifle more. You ought to know that dividends are what are wanted down here—the Dunedin people want a return the moment they invest their money —they are not palient and plodding like you, and depend'upon the chances of events for profits, or properties rising in value. The system of business pursued here is a sort of a chandler's shop one, and has no higher aspirations than buying a thing for one shilling, and selling it for either fifteen or eighteen pence. Dredging the Harbour has again been brought prominently forward. A special meeting of the Chamber of Commerce having been held upon the subject; 1 think, however, that the work would put tho country to too great an expence under present circumstances. Messrs Bathgate and Oliver appear to be of my opinion. I certainly agree with them that a Railway would be tho best and cheapest; still it would be far better that the same amount of money, should be spent in making roads in the up country districts, especially when main lines, such as the Wakatip are unfinished, and the Province is losing a considerable amount of revenue thereby.,