7

8.—2

I put before the Committee a statement of the actual and the estimated expenditure for the year:—

Explanation of large apparent saying.

Eailway Expenditure and Keceipts.

Estimated and Actttal Expenditure, 1875-76.

It will be seen that there is a considerable difference between the expenditure as estimated and that which it is now assumed will become chargeable. A large portion of the difference arises from an over-estimate of the amount payable under the head of Permanent Charges. It will be within the knowledge of honorable members that an Act was passed last Session to do away with the Reserve Account; and also providing that the interest and sinking fund payable in London shall be charged in the accounts of the colony on the day the payment has to be made. Hitherto, the interest and sinking fund due on the 15th of July in London, has been treated as a liability of the previous financial year ending the 30th of June. But owing to the provisions of the Act to which I have referred, this will only be a liability on the day it falls due ; consequently, £123,800 for interest and sinking fund due on the 15th of July is not included in the year's expenditure or liabilities, although provision was made for it in the last Estimates, and there is an apparent saving to that amount. Beyond that, there is a saving of £8,400 from an over-estimate of the amounts required to be paid on account of Permanent Charges. There is a saving on the item " Railways." It will also be found that the revenue under the same head has produced less than was anticipated; in other words, there has been a less length of railway completed and open for traffic than was expected. The excess of receipts over expenditure on this account fairly upholds the anticipation formed last year. It was then estimated that the receipts of the year would amount to £120,000, and the expenditure to £100,000. The receipts I now set down as £57,000, and the expenditure as £50,000. It is to be remem-

Net Expenditure to 27TH May, with Estimate added for June Month. Diffei 1ENCES. Heads of Expenditure. Expenditure AS Estimated. In Excess of Estimate. Less than Estimate. £ s. d. 28,738 9 8 £ s. d. 29,750 o o £ s. d. £ s. d. i,oii 10 4 Civil List ... Permanent Charges— Interest and Sinking Fund Under Acts of the Legislature „ „ ,, „ State Forests... Appropriations— Class I.—Public Departments II.—Law and Justice III.—Postal and Telegraphic ... IV. —Customs V. —Miscellaneous... VI.—Native VII.—Militia and Volunteers ... VIII.—Public Domains and Buildings ... IX.—Railways X.—■ Armed Constabulary XI. —Municipalities, Road Boards, &c... Railway Stores Account... ,., 598,638 6 9 44,050 19 8 15,000 o o 81,631 12 6 7!.2S9 7 1 217,461 5 6 53,529 11 11 59,663 19 10 39,005 14 1 22,401 14 2 22,838 13 6 50,160 9 11 91,408 18 i 56,016 11 o 20,000 o o 742,807 10 o 47,110 15 6 76.731 5 ' 67,35s is ° 222,979 o o 58,292 14 6 49.934 15 1 37.'3i 9 2 22,885 o o 29.3SI 4 o 100,814 6 o 91,000 o o 80,000 o o 20,000 o o 15,000 o o 4,9°° 7 5 3.903 '2 1 144,169 3 3 3,059 15 10 5,5^ l4 6 4,763 2 7 9,729 4 9 1,874 4 11 483 5 10 6,512 10 6 50,653 16 1 408 18 1 23.983 9 ° Capitation and Special Allowances Moiety of Stamp Duties Services not provided for Refunds of Revenue Provincial Public Works Advances Act... Provincial Appropriations Extension Act Advances, Land Fund, Auckland 276,825 o o 56,187 2 5 2,180 14 8 3.785 18 10 48,500 o o 92,000 o o 201 4 5 276,825 o o 62,500 o o 48,000 o o 92,000 o o 2,180 14 8 3,785 18 10 500 o o 6,312 17 7 201 4 5 Totals... ... ... / ... I»95 I>48S J4 ° 2,155.468 14 4 42,484 5 2 246,467 S 6 Deduct amount in excess of Estimate 42,484 s 2 Net amount less than Estimate 203,983 o 4