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ESTIMATES OF REVENUE FOR 1889. LAND REVENUE.
The CHAIRMAN said that while on this head- ing, he should mention that the premiums on the sale of Crown lands were not included in these Estimates, as they were not allowed to consider them as revenus. They were available for the use of the colony, but they were not to bo counted on as the revenue of the colony.
Hon. P. RYKLE asked for an account of the amount of these premiums to be laid on the table. The CHAIRMAN promised that a detailed ac- count of the sums receive should be supplied. The money was spent in extraordinary works and other things of that nature.
Hon. J. BELL-IRVING said the atone quarries were not leased, he believed. A great deal was made out of these quarries.
The CHAIRMAN said they were let year by year and put up to be tendered for.
Hon. W. M. DEANE SRid practically there was a monopoly in them. They had always been in the hands of the same elau.
RENTS, EXCLUSIVE OF LANDS.
The CHAIRMAN said that under this heading it would be found that estimated revenue from markets was lower than usual owing to the lower reuts during the construction of the Coutral Market.
LICENCES.
The CHAIRMAN said there was nothing to re- mark here except the large increase on the opium licence. This would be even larger in the next estimates, as in these it was only reckoned from March, when the new licence dated from.
TAXES.
The CHAIRMAN said there was a decrease here owing to the reduction of 13 per cont. men- tioned by the Governor in his message.
POSTAL REVENUE.
The CHAIRMAN said there was an increase in this estimate consequent on the increase
in population and, necessarily, postal busiooss.
FEES OF OFFICE.
The CHAIRMAN said under this heading there was a large increase expected by the Captain Superintendent of Police on the item of Registry of Carriages. The estimate for 1888 was $11,000, while for 1889 it was $19,000.
Hon. W. M. DEANE said the licences on rickshes had been raised from $6 to $18.
Hon. B. LAYTON said the fee was still much lower than that in Shanghai.
Hon. W. M. DEANE said he thought that was abont fair for this Colony. In Shanghai thei 'rickshas could travel everywhere, while here: they were practically restricted to one road.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL asked why the estimate for the registration of births and deaths was less than in the previous year. How were these estimates compiled?
The CHAIRMAN said that the actual receipts of the first six months of the previous year were sent to the Treasury, and these wore doubled for the estimate of the following year. It frequent- ly happened that the estimate mado was too low, but it was looked upon as a very safe method.
Hon. W. M.DEANE pointed out that there was no fee for registration of deaths and none for registration of births provided that it was done within thirty days after the child was born. The fee for registration of births was more in the nature of a fine for neglecting to register within the proper period.
The CHAIRMAN said although the rule be had mentioned as being followed in preparing these estimates was generally used, it was not a hard and fast one. Possibly it might have been found that the estimate for the previous year was too high.
ON
The COLONIAL TREASURER said thers was one item he should like to call attention to, the pro- fit on subsidiary coinage. This had been put down as $34,000, but
considera- tion be Was of opinion he had overrated this. They had to pay for the silver bars three mouths before the coins were made. The coins were sent out in supplies for three months. These were placed in the bank, and no-interest, was received on them. Under these circumstances he thought he had rather overrated the estimato, and he thought it should be reduced about $4,000. The CHAIRMAN said he thought the estimate (had better stand for the year as it was put down.
The Treasury could look into the matter next year, and if they thought the estimate too high they could then reduce it when preparing the Dext estimates.
Hon. P. KYRIE said he noticed there was a considerable increase expected under this head. ing.
The CHAIRMAN said there were a very large number of items included under the heading "Fees of Office." The Colony was increasing, and it was ouly natural to presume that the revenue would de so. There was a totally new item in. eluded, light dues in respect of the Gap Rock Lighthouse, which would account for $45,000 of the increase.
ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR 1889. PENSIONS, RETIRED ALLOWANCES,
AND GRATUITIES.
The CHAIRMAN said under this heading there was an increase of about $3,000 on account of new pensions, which would have to be paid, of which $1,000 was for the increase in Police pensions.
Hou. B. LAYTON asked on what number of years the pension of Captain Themsett was based.
The CHAIRMAN said there was a difficulty with regard to the pension of Captain Thomsett which was now being considered by the Secretary of State. It was calculated here on the usual ground, but the Secretary of State had called the attention of the Government here to a cir- enler which had been issued stating that half-pay leave was only to count as half-time for pon- sions. They had the sanction, however, of, a previous Secretary of State for allowing half-pay leave to count as full pay for pensions, but until this question was settled he could not answer the hon. member's question. There was also another difficulty in Captain Thomiseit's case which it seemed would ent off six months of Captain Thomsett's service. It ap peared that he took office in the Spring of 1861, but his pension counted from November. 1861, the reason being that his predecessor did not rasign or held possession by an act of grace and favour. The curious thing about the matter was that nothing was known about that here.
Hon. W. M. DEANE-I cannot understand why a man who was put in possession of the office should lose that time because his predeces. sor had not resigned.
The CHAIRMAN-Captain Thomsett was act- ing for a time, and at the end of six months he was confirmed. The Secretary of State says that two men could not be serving in the one office at the same time.
Hon. B. LAYTON-I simply asked the ques- tion having heard something about the difficulty, and knowing Captain Thomsatt was an old and valued public servant.
The CHAIRMAN said there could be no doubt that the calculation made here was correct be- cause it had always been the rule for half-pay leave to count as fult pay for pension, and be thought the pension as calculated hore would be paid Captain Thomsett with the exception of those six months mentioned, and he was afraid he would lose that. If the contention put for ward by the Colonial Office was correct it would be a very serious matter for a great many offi. cials in this Colony.
Hon, P. RTRIE asked whether in the latest minute on pensions it was not stated that half. pay leave would count as full time.
The CHAIRMAN said it was laid down most distinctly. Moreover, Sir Arthur Kennedy was not satisfied with this alone, but had sent home some revised rules on the subject which had been approved of by Lord Derby, and these had never been altered. In many other Colonies half pay leave did not count as full pay for pensions. That was the reason why the Colonial Office was raising this question now. In many other Colonies half pay leave did not count, and the Colonial Office was of opinion that there should be no distinction but that all the Colonies should be uniform.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL-They have abo- lished pensions altogether in some Colonies.
The CHAIRMAN-That is what it is coming to. There are no pensions in the Australian Colonies.
The Estimate for pensious was approved.
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