RAILWAYS IN VICTORIA.

Evening Star, Issue 3257, 29 July 1873, Page 3

RAILWAYS IN VICTORIA.

The Treasurer of Victoria commences his new financial year with a balance of L 234,132 to his credit, the ways and means of the year just expired having amounted to L 3,745,646, and the expenditure to L 3,511,334. The estimated income for the year 1873-4 is L 4,205,878, and the estimated expenditure L 4,171,688, leaving an apparent balance to the credit of 1.874-5 of L 34,100. Commenting upon the financial statement, the Argus says that “ by an analysis of the increase in the Customs revenue the Treasurer showed how utterly the policy of Mr Berry had failed in the introduction of the heavy ad valorem duties, for which he is primarily responsible. These duties have —fortunately for the present Treasurer —brought in a large accession of revenue to the national chest, but they have not stopped importations, and therefore cannot have encouraged Colonial manufactures.” A prominent feature in the Treasurer’s estimate was the large amount which during the current year it is proposed to spend upon public works. Irrespective of railway construction and other enterprises, which will be carried out under the various loans to the extent of nearly one million and a-half, it is contemplated to expend out of the ordinary revenue, upon various works throughout the Colony,

noMess a sum than L 713,000. The Government of Victoria propose to expend during the year 1873-4 L 914,310, upon railways in various places, of which LI 71,000 is to be applied to the construction of the line from .Ballarat to Ararat; L 159,000 to the construction of the line from Castlcmaine to Maryborough and Dunolly ; L 170,000 for aline from Ballarat to Maryborough, via Creswick. The Treasurer anticipates a revenue from the railways this year of L 765,000. “ Surely,” says the Arc/ns “ with such a large national expenditure, there should be no repining in our streets; and when it is remembered that during the next live or six years something over three millions sterling will be spent in extending our railway system, it must be evident that the great want of the Colony will be neither work to do nor money to pay for it, but men able and willing to do the work.”