296
for
of 1868. The item for printing the Gormances ($1800) had been accidentally omitted from the Estimates of the previous year.
How on examining the above details, they constitute the main bulk of the amount asked & to be voted. Nevertheless it would be difficult to point out any time at which either during their growth or at their maturity the least special Public advantage would have attended the formal ceremony of obtaining Legislative Sanction for those items; whilst it would be equally difficult to have ascertained, the exact amount in each case for doing so.
7. It seems to me, however, that a principle of far greater importance is involved in the practice of expending under the authority of the Secretary of State or the Governor sums which, though covered by the votes, are not in accordance with the Sub-heads of the Estimates submitted to the Council. If it be conceded that Legislative Sanction is needed for such unavoidable items as those constituting the above excess in the Supplementary Return for 1868, it is difficult not to feel that a similar sanction