The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 1868.

Southland Times, Issue 990, 22 July 1868, Page 2

The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 1868.

A valuable statistical document has been published by the Financial Ueform League of Canterbury. It is a carefully compiled approximate statement of the expenditure — -independent of war charges — of the Greneral, and each of the Provincial Governments. The report of the Committee shows that its members have prosecuted a close and searching inquiry into the public finances of the colony, and suggests reforms in the system of Government calculated to decrease taxation, or at least to bring about the adoption of a less costly mode of managing the affairs of the country. The statement before us proves that like spendthrifts ' almost every province is living beyond

its means, and that unless the form of Government is remodelled no diminution of taxation can be expected, but fresh loans will be continually required. The following extract from the report will explain the object of the Committee of the League in publishing the statement. " Tour committee have to report that, in accordance with the promise given at the last general meeting of the Association, they have undertaken a close and searching inquiry into the public finances of the colony and the respective Provincial Governments, and have prepared tables showingtherevenueandexpendifcure in each case in a simple and clear form. In the estimates of the Colonial revenue for the current year they have been guided by the most recent obtainable information, and have thought it advisable to shew at the foot of the statement the amounts of the different heads of revenue estimated to accrue by the Colonial Treasurer at the beginning of the current financial year, with the view of enabling readers to see readily the actual state of the colony as regards revenue, as compared with the opinions respecting it which were entertained by a majority during the last session of Parliament. The colonial expenditure is made up from the actual votes of the House ; the only item which requires explanation being the Interest on Loans, which it has been thought better to take on the entire difference between the £7,000,000 authorised to be raised by the Loans Consolidation Act of last session, and the whole amount of the provincial loans as specified in the schedule to the Public Debts Act, 1867. Certain extraordinary items in the year's expenditure are noted at foot, as they are not likely to recur, and to include them without remark might be calculated to mislead in forming an estimate of the annual requirements of the colony. The defence expenditure, excepting militia and volunteers, has been omitted, a large portion of it being conditional on the necessity for its arising and also because it is not included in the ordinary colonial estimates, but is provided for out of loan." The first paragraph is devoted to the estimated Colonial Revenue and Expenditure, 1867-8, ending 30th June, on the basiß of receipts for the six months ended on 31st December, 1867. They are thus stated: — Customs, &c, £813,012; Stamp duties, £54,876; Miscellaneous, £117,564, making a total of £985,452. If this amount is _dmded, one half being given to the provinces, the colonial revenue stands at £492,726. The revenue for the same period, as estimated by the Colonial Treasurer was £1,084,000, the colonial half £542,000, or £49,274 less than was estimated. The expenditure of tha colonial half of the Consolidated Eund, based upon the votes of the Legislature, during the session 1867, are shown to be under the head permanent charges — £318,789, and in the departmental classes from 1 to 8, viz — Public domains, public departments, governor's establishment, legislative, executive, stamp office, printing, law and justice, postal, telgeraph, marine engineer's department, customs, natives, militia, and volunteers, miscellaneous, census, and civil list, £532,465, making a total of £851,254, being an excess of estimated revenue of £309,254. This great excess of expenditure over available revenue is not quite so bad as it at first sight appears. The year was an exceptional one, several items of expenditure being such as are not likely to occur again for years, such as reception of the Duke of Eduoubgh, .£5,000, Middle Island adjustment claims, £1,200, Census collecting, £5,344, the Penal Commission inquiry, £1,000, sundries; £700, total £13,234. Still the excess of expenditure over revenue is so striking that it must be plainly seen the system of double government is year by year dragging the colony deeper and deeper into debt, and necessitating increased taxation. In the statement of the colonial expenditure and receipts we have particularised the items,but it will be unnecessary to do so in regard to the provinces. The object of the Association is to show that under the existing plan the General Government and the Provincial Governments are carried on at a cost ruinous to the future of the colony. In the calculations before us the land fund has been excluded, and wisely so, for this should be consideredas special revenue. It is the capital of the colony, and should be carefully kept for fhe making of roads, immigration, and other reproductive purposes. At the present time this fund is being absorbed in the payment of expenses that should never have been allowed to exceed the amount of the revenue. This state of things will be continued as long asprovincialismis in operation — until radical changes are made. The statement of receipts and expenditure' of the various Provincial Governments are as follows : — Auckland, revenue from all sources, estimated (exclusive of gold duty, &c.,) L 90,93 9; expenditure, including interest

.aannajßmiijni minn-im i » 1 1 » ihii — ■>■-' i<i"H • ' ■"' '"■ -* .. -ama on loans, &c, L 97,943 ; showing excess of estimated expenditure over revenue of L 7004. Tarauaki — revenue, from all sounces, L 6,102 ; expenditure (including interest on loans not yet raised) L 12,466 ; being an expenditure over income of L 6,364. 'Wellington— revenue, L 73.563 ; expenditure, L 72,86 2; an excess of revenue over expenditure of 4701. Hawke'a Bay — revenue, L 18,619 ; expenditure, L 26.45 6; showing an excess of expenditure of L 7,837. JSelson— revenue, L 91.848; expenditure, L76jkS9 ; showing an excess of revenue over expenditure of L 15,159. Marlborough— revenue Ll(),221 ; expenditure, L 11,470 ; showing an excess of expenditure of L 1249. Canterbury— revenue, L 142,275 ; expenditure, L 156,748 ; being an excess , of expenditure over revenue of L 14,473. Otag'o — the required statements for the Committee to complete the table not having been supplied in time for publication no estimate of the position of that province is made. Southland — revenue, L 35,066; expenditure, L 45,63 1; showing an excess of expenditure over receipts of L 10,565. '"Westland — revenue, L 105,325; expenditure, L 77,982; showing an excess of revenue over expenditure of £27,343. Thus it will be seen that with the exception of "Wellington, Nelson, and "Westland the whole of the various settlements (Otago returns not to hand excepted) are expending more in the working of their governmental machinery than the revenue, properly speaking is producing — that those provinces- possessing a land fund are using their capital, and those who do not are contracting debts they have no prospect of paying unless the General Government come to their aid and give to one province the money belonging to another. The following table shows the relative contributions by the North and Middle Islands to the Consolidation Fund, and the respective amounts drawn by them. It is thus stated : — " Total revenue contributed to to the Consolidated Fund by the Middle Island on basis of revenue receipts for half-year ending 31st December, 1867, £706,000 ; the North Island, £284,000;" excess of contribution by the Middle Island to general expenditure, £422,000. There are a number of other tables, showing the cost to each province of the interest on loans, expenses of gaols, police, harbors, &c, but we have already gone to the full length that should be allotted to one article, and although interesting, they are scarcely more than a recapitulation of the figures given above. Mr Stevens, chairman of the League, in a long and able speech, pointed out the difficulty that clustered round government operations under the present system — it led to political trickery and extravagance. He affirmed that provinces which had no claim for further assistance would by selling their votes obtain what they desired. He condemned the provincial system and strongly advocated the programme of the League.

Intelligence reached town yesterday afternoon of a very 6erious fire haying taken place in Rattray-street, Dnnedin, on Saturday morning last. In the absence of details we can only say that a large number of extensive building have been destroyed, including shops and warehouses of various description', as also a range of stables, in which were three valuable race horses. The oss of property is said to be very. heavy. The fire was confined within certain limits by pulling down some tenements. Particulars should be to hand to-day. The great progress being made in the home country by the ecclesiastical liberal party may be tolerably well estimated from the following : — " The Earl of Shaftesbury writes to the editor of the " Record" : — Sir, — On Monday evening last I was on the same platform with the Rev Mr Spurgeon, in Exeter-hall. For this I have received a rebuke, and I shall, possibly, receive many more. May I, once for all, through your columns, give an answer retrospeotively and prospectively to all such doubts and castigations ? In the first place, I am a member ef the Church of England ; and, by God's blessing, I intend to continue bo. Secondly, I shall do my best to maintain in full vigour the Established Church ol this kingdom. Thir lly, although I do not concur in all Mr Spurgeon's sentiments, nor always approve the language in which they are conveyed, I regard him as a man of great ability of great earnestness, and doing a great work. And, in these days of trouble, rebuke and blasphemy, I will, if requested, give the right hand of fellowsnip, to him, and to every other who will preach Christ to the masses of our people. I am, sir, your obedient servant, Shaftesbubx — April 27, 1868From the telegraph intelligence from Wellington, in the " Daily Times," 15th inst., wo learn "that the Government stated they had no intention of nomoniating M toria to the Legislative Council until they had ascertained the result of the experiment in the House of Representatives. A Bill enabling the Governor to make regulations charging a smaller duty on notoriously low value gold, like that of Auckland, will probably be iutrodnced. Axiad interim Supply Bill of £100,000 will be considered iv committee to-morrow. The first division took place on a report of tho Housel Committee, on the cancelation of Mr Osgood'B appointment as caterer at Bellamy's in favor of Mr Donnecker, of the Club. The report was carried by 15 to 7. On introducing the Distillation Bill, Mr Richmond stated that the Government were desirous of preventing smuggling, by considerably reducing the duty on spirits, and were anxiously considering on what substitute to make up the Revenue.

We extract the following from the " Taranaki Herald : — " The difficulties that hare hitherto existed in smelting iron sand which lies in abundance on our beach, are gradually disappearing and it is expected that we shall shortly be able to run off any quantity of iron at a price that -will compete witU the English and Foreign markets. The process is Bimple, and the ingredient required lo separate the sand from the iron is at our very door. We were shown yesterday two bars of iron, one crude, and the other brightly polished and with sharp edges. We witnessed the process, and although it was merely done in a Bmith's forge, yet the bays we have spoken of were the result of the smelting. The process as shown us was this. A loam was made of Urenui clay and iron sand, in proportion of one-third clay to two thirds iron sand, this was made into balls and dried. The forge was then blown up and one of the balls put into the fire. We witnessed (as the blow pipe was kept going), the gradual change of this mixture, and the occasional sparks of the , iron that flew out. After being in this state for j some time, it was drawn from the furnace, and j plunged into water, and on it being taken out it resembled a clinker. This was again put into the furnace, and heated as an ordinary piece of iron to a white heat, when it was taken out and beaten into bars. One of these bars was filed and then put on the lathe, when it assumed a most brilliant polish. The discovery of this method of Bmelting the iron sand is due to Mr D. Atkinson, Mr B. M. Smith, and Mr Perry, who have devoted mnch. time and trouble in endeavoring to bring the process to the perfection they have. A portion of the clay in its mineral state, the mixture ready for the furnace, Dnd the result of the smelting, are lying at our office, ■where they may be inspected by anyone "who may feel an interest in the subject." Political agitation in Otago appears to be running high. Party feeling is intensifying and another ministerial crisis expected. The " Daily Times " of the 15th inst., says :— " The following Petition to the Superintendent of the Province, was yesterday transmitted to that gentleman. We are informed that it was signed by upwards of 400 electors of Dunedin, and by 70 electors of the Lake District :— " To His Honor the Superintendent of Otago — The memorial of thi, "Undersigned electors of the Provincial Electoral District of * * , Sheweth — That in the opinion of your memorialists, the present Btate of parties in the Provincial Council renders it impossible for any Q-overnment to carry on satisfactorily the business of the Country. That Mr Vogel's Q-overnment have retained office during the presont Session by means of an insignificant majority, which your memorialists believe does not possess the confidence of the CountryTha; your memorialists believe that the present and future prosperity of this Province depends in no slight degree upon the faithful administration of the Land Laws, and they are of opinion that the policy of. Mr Vogel's Government is likely to tend to the alienation of the lands of the Province from their legitimate use, viz. : the settlement of the present population, the encouragement of immigration, and the construction and maintenance of remunerative public works. Your memorialists therefore pray, that your Honor will be pleased to recommend His Excellency the Governor to grant a dissolution of the Provincial Council with the least possible delay." The "Taranaki Herald," of the 27th June, sa y 8 : — « The aggressive acts of the natives have hitherto been confined to the murder of the four men, the destruction of Mr Smith's property at Waingongoro ; and the looting of some 30 head out of a herd of 170 head of cattle, belonging to Mr Chubbin, of Waihi. There are 1,500 sheep running near to the Waihi stream, and about 409 sheep and 70 head of cattle running near to Turuturumokai, but up to the present time none of them have been interfered with ; nor so far have the rebels interfered with the property of the settlers in the bush. The natives between Waihi and Waitotara remain friendly, and have promised to do all they can to protect the lives and properties of the settlers." We extract the following item of Masonic intelligence which will be read with interest by the members of the craft ia this province. It is taken from the last number of the "Home News":— "On Wednesday, April 29, at the Freemasons- hall, Great Queens-street, London, there was a very large gathering, composed of peers aud gentlemen belonging to the Masonic craft, which holds within its ranks men of all creeds and all nations, to take part in the celebration of the 25th installation of the Earl of Zetland as Grand Master of the English branch of 'Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.' This office, which has more than once been held by Masons of the blood royal, can only be taken by men of noble birth, or by ' men of letters/ and the festival was one in more than ordinary regard from the fact of the length of time the noble earl had held the position. Before the festival itself a grand lodge of Provincial aud Worshipful Masters was held, when, after the Grand Master had been installed, he proceeded to name his officers. The Earl De Grey and Ripon was appointed Deputy Grand Master ; Earl Vane, Senior Grand Warden, and Le Gendre N. Starkie, the High Sheriff of "Lancashire, was appointed Junior Grand Warden. The Earl of Zetland drew attention to the late wicked attempt upon the life of the Duke of Edinburgh, and in a short and effective Bpeech moved that a vote of condolence should be presented to her Majesty on behalf of the Freemasons of England that such an attempt should have been made, and of congratulation that it should have so signally failed. Earl de Grey and Eipon seconded the resolution, which was carried by acclamation, and the two noble earls were appointed to convey it to her Majesty. The festival itself was held in the great hall, and every one present wore his 'craft costume.' Several hundred of the brethren eat down lo the banquet, and the proceedings were witnessed by a large number of ladies from the gallery. When the brethren had taken their places the Provincial Grand Masters, the Grand Stewards, and other officers entered the hall in procession, and twice passed round. The Grand Master was then announced, and he entered with his Deputy and Wardens amid loud and warm applause. When the banquet, which ■was a very grand * one, was over, the Grand Master proposed the 'Health of tha J.ieen,' and referred in brief terms to the rP3"iu ion which had been passed in the Grand L S^ .-, adding that if anything were wanting to a Li to the love of the people for the Queen sur: \ ; wicked attempt as this would have the c i>' (. The toast was received with the utmost enthusiasm, as was that of the Prince and Princess of Wales and other members of tie royal family. Mr A. Dobie, the^ Provincial Grand Master of Surrey, proposed the" ' Health of the Earl of Zetland,' who briefly acknowledged the toast. Lord de Tabiey, the Provincial Grand Master of Cheshire, proposed the ' Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland, and all other Grand Lodges.' "