THE ESTIMATES.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2189, 13 May 1870, Page 2

THE ESTIMATES.

This years estimates of expenditure show a considerable reduction. It is proposed to reduce the salaries of members of the Government by L 25 each, and have only two non official members at L4OO, instead of three at L 325. A slight reduction is proposed in the police department. The Commissioners salary is to be reduced from L6OO to LSOO, and a small reduction in other expenditure is proposed. The number of first class mounted constables is to be increased by a corresponding reduction of the second class. The proposed redaction of foot constables is so small as not to require notice, but there is a proposal to abolish the water police. The contingencies connected with this department appear large, but actually are not so, for many of the service; are connected with the escort services. The only additional items in the Harbor Master's department, are an extra L4O to the Harbor Master’s sal a: y, 1.50 for an assistant harbor master at Martin’s Bay, L3O for a light keeper at Black Jack’s Point, and LIOO for a rocket brigade at Oamaru. A considerable increase is asked for additional warders. This is occasioned by the Maori prisoners, but the Province is to be recouped the expenditure. In the sheep inspector's department, about L4OO is proposed ; and in the education department an increase of LSOO for an inspector, and nearly L 3,000 for educational purposes. There is very little noticeable reduo ion in salaries in other departments, but in contingencies for both lunatic asylums and hospitals, there is to bo a saving of nearly L7OO, In the Purvey Department it is proposed to reduce the Chief Commissioner’s salary to to LGOO, appoint a clerk at L 30 0; rangers, at L6OO ; reduce the assistant surveyors by one, and increase the number of draughtsmen correspondingly; and it is proposed to spend L 4,000 on contract surveys, instead of LB.OOO, as. was the case last year. The expenditure on gold fields for administrative purposes is to bo increased by nearly L 5,000, the principle item being mining surveyor and staff, L 2,000. It is proposed to increase the salary of the chief engineer of roads and works from L 450 to 1.500. The grants in aid to benevolent institutions and country hospitals, L2 to LI are proposed to be reduced from L 7,000 to LG, 000 ; to municipalities (withdrawal of subsidy to City Corporation), from L 5.000 to L 3.500 ; and a sum of LSOO is placed on the estimates for sludge channels. Under the head of miscellaneous we find the Government subsidy to the Acclimatisation Society is to be reduced from L 750 to L 50 0; that grants of L3OO and LIOO arc proposed for the Melton and Waitahuna Athenaeums respectively; and that a sum of L 94 12s 4d, preliminary expenses in connection with the Port Chalmers Railway, incurred by the proposed company, is sst down. Oq the Main North Road Rla proposed to spend L 7.830; Main South Road, L 31.400 ; central interior, L 13,700; northern interior, L 4,100; miscellaneous roads, L 14.570; works an I buildings, L 14,325 ; bridges, L 4,071 17s Id; jetties and harbors, L 9,230.