THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

Dunstan Times, Issue 480, 30 June 1871, Page 3

THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

The financial statement was made in a full Hou-e. It states that the aotual deficit for the year is 54,228/. ISs. Id. The revenue yields 64,436/, 2s. 3d. less than estimate 1 . The falling off. is in-every item, but by carry'ng a number of items to desit account, the year’s deficit can be reduced to 48,000/. The bank overdraft is 81,993/., incurred in anticipation of the revenue amounting to estimate; There would have been no deficiency if the consolidated revenue and Crown . Lands sales had come up to the estimate formed ; or if the laws had permitted placing in the market land required for settlement, w.thout the intervention of the General Government or irresponsible commissioners, therewould have been no deficiency. But the only actual loss was the interest on the overdraft, as tha Province had sufficient land, owing to the increased value from the Construction of railways, to pay the liabilities. Unless the revenue was largely added to in the future, by sale of lands, a large deficiency must occur annually. The saving proposed to be effected on the year’s appropriations were 14, BSS/. , The ensuing year’s revenue .was estimated at 287,896/,, being 40,000/. less than, Ir.'t year yt might, possibly bo increa-ed, but that, would depend on the action of the Colonial legislature. Large saying effectedin departmental ex penditure. The statement .enemies by urging the Council to resist to the , utmost the tendency to take the land fund, by the Colonial '' ;

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL ITEMS,

Condensed from the Daily Timet. Mr. Mervyn a petition from certain residents at St. Bathah'fl, demurring to the closing of the Receiver and Warden’s office at St. Bathan’s ; also, to the removal of Mr. Hr A. Stratford.

Mr. Shepherd-presented a -petition from residents.jp the,Black’s and Drybread division of the Dunstan district, praying that a Supreme Courfc or Dis rict Court in its extended jurisdiction should be es ablished at Cl de, and also that a gaol should be erected at Clyde. Mr. Shephe' J moved—“ That the Petition of the residents at Black’s and Drybread. praying that aCourt-house and Gaol he established at Clyde, as the centre of the Dunstan districts referred to the Government. ” Mr. G.-F. C. Brown* seconded.

Mr. Reid : There was no objectioifto-the matter being referred to the Government, but he poinied out that the difficulty which existed would not bortemedied by adopting that course. Only a limited sum of money was placed at the disposal of the Government, and the Governmentcimld not undertake to place sums on the estimates to meet this and other requests made. Mr, Shepherd proceeded to show that if what he advocated was not given effect to, theinhahitantsofCly.de would be justified in saying that for seme time pas they hau been misled.

The motion was’earried. Mr. Shepherd moved.—“ That the petition of William Smithani, and report of the Select Committee on private Petitions thereon, be referred to the Government, with instructions that they give effect to such report. _rtThe motion was carried. Mr. Mervyn moved.—“ That, the petition of the inhabitants of St, Bathan’s, in reference to the appointment of a trust-worthy person to issue miner’s rights, etc.., be re. ferred to a Select Committee to consider the whole question of the administration of thu Gold-fields,' with the view of suggesting means [whferrty the “administration may b? placed on a more efficient and’ economical basis ; said Committee to consist of Mr. Speaker (with his’ consent),'[Messrs. Haughton, Hickey, Bastings, G, P. 0. BroWnc, and the Mover,v,:and tQ. report in fourteen days.” ■ , . a :,<. t. J-

Mr.fiMbrvyn also gave notiee of Iris intontion to move that'the namevhf cMr. Bradsliaw be added to the Committee. ~ ■ }At. Reynolds and Mr."|la'ugkfon spoke .against the .matter being fefeffed to a Committee. ... . . V.’ The motion was carried.

- Mr. Shepherd mqved, “ That the petition gf .H’Oi.residents in the Duhstan dis ; trict, praying that the sittings of the' Supreme Court for the Northern gold-fields shall he held, and a goalbuilt, at Clyde (it being ihe centre of the' Northern gold-field) he referred to the Government. ,r

Mr.. Hickey moved as au ameiiment, “ That the petition of 194 residents in the .Dims'an district, and alsothepetitions from Alexandra and Cromwell, praying that sittings of the Supreme Court forthe Northern ..gold-fields should be held, and a goal built, in one or other of said districts, be referred to.the Committee appointed to enquire into the administration of the gold-fields.” .The amendment was carried, and the motion as amended, yras.adopted. Mr. Shepherd moved,—That a respectful Address be presea te.l to his Honor the Superintendent, recommending that Section .72, block 1, Leaningjjßock district, Dunstan,.containing 145 acres 3 roods 4 perches be,reserved for the purposes of recreation for the use of the inhabitants of the Dun.stan district.—Carried.

The Hon. Dr. Menzies moved—“ ! hat, in the opinion of this Council, it is expedient that a Bill should be introduced into the Council this session, to provide :—lst That contiguous Hoad Districts having common interests may unit to form a County ! the County Board to consist of representatives from the District Road Boards. A long d'seuasion ensued, in which st members joined, eventually the resolution was carried on’the voices.

Mr. Bastings moved, •* That the Government he requested to introduce a Bill into the Assembly to amend the law upon gold-fields, so as not to enforce the payment of business liccnsesdjy [holders of agricultural leases.”

After some slight discussion, the motion was carried

Oh the motion of Mr. Bathgate, the Clyde School Reserve Sale Bid was read a second time, considered in Committee, and reported to the House without amendment. It was then read a third, time, and passed. Mr. Shepherd presented a petition from residents at Miller’s Flat, praying that the Miller's Flat Block should be thrown open under the agricultural leasing system. Mr. Bastings asked if the Government bad come to any decision in reference to applications from persons who app’ied for land ih tetras of notice issued by the Government for the planting of forest trees ? Mr. Reid Bird that the Government had not come to any decision on the applications.