HOW THE MONEY GOES.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 19, Issue 1484, 19 November 1872, Page 2

HOW THE MONEY GOES.

(From the Thames Advertiser, 9th November.) In the return of "Travelling expenses for the financial year 1871-2," just published, we find a few very interesting items, and as some comparison has been made between the present and former Ministry in this particular of expenditure, it may be inteiestingW add a little more information, and show what Mr Vogel i* capable of, and bo* he transcends every other Minister m

his ability to extract funds from the public chest, for expenditure in pleasure trips, and on his own personal enjoyment. In the return before us Mr Vogel's travelling expenses during his trips to England and Australia are set down at £3,258 10s sd, whilst those of his " private secretary" amount to £330 9s. Tn addition to this, Mr Vogcl drew his usual Ministerial allowance of £ 1,000 a year, whilst his privale secretary also drew his salary. Mr Fitzherbert has been named in comparison with Mr Vogel for his liberal use of public funds, but the comparison shoe's very badly for Mr "Vogel. The mission of Mr Fitzherbert was a most important one, and involved his absence from the colony for eighteen months, and his travelling expenses during the whole of that period amounted to £2,112. Moreover, Mr Fitzherbert did not think it necessary to take a " private secretary" with him at the expense of the colony. In other words, the total expenses of Mr Vogel and his Becretaiy in the English trip were £3,588 19s sd, or an average of .something more than £322 per month, whilst Mr Fitzherbert. spent rather over £ll7 per month during his trip. The total amount of the " travelling expenses" is £28.343 10s lOd, an amount sufficient., we should imagine, to siartle the most careless amongst us. Of course Mr Vogel stands a long way ahead of everyone ehe. The late Premier was moderate in his claims, ai d ceived £192 7s during the year, whilst Mr Gisborne received a trifling sum. But the other members of the Ministiy filly made up for any shortcoming on the pact of Mr Gisborne in this respect. Mr Ormond received £269 Is 6d; Mr Beeves, £289 ss, and MrM'Lean, altogether, £685 ss. The other principal items in the return omitting shillings and pence, are—the Agent-General, £1,732; the Governor, £919; Mr Carruthers, £425; Mr Gray (who also accompanied Mr Vogel to Australia), £325; natives, £328 ss; Dr Haast, £298 Is 4d; Captain Hutton, £231 9s 6d, and a large number of others. The question will naturally suggest imelf to prudent people, where this extra viganee is going to end, and how much longer the colony * ill tolerate it

The Princess Beatrice, of England, is betrothed to the Marquis of Stafford. Prussia is constructing a canal from the North Sea to the Baltic. Tlie English Court is in mourning for the King of Sweden and the Princess Hohenlohe, sister of Queen Victoria. Agrarian violence is rife in Ireland. Several landlords have been shot. The Pope has sent a benediction to the clergy of Australia by telegram.