CO129-078 - Sir Robinson - 1860 [7-12] — Page 3

2.

3

present year commenced with an Excess of Assets over liabilities of nearly £43,000 – The ordinary revenue of the Island - Exclusive of the sale of Crown Lands-

may be Estimated at £70,000. It is -

derived chiefly from

three

sources, pet

Rents of lands, houses, and markets;

2ndly Licenses, of which those for the sale of Spirits

and Opium are the most remunerative

and 3rdly a Police and

Lighting Rate, being

a tax upon houses for the maintenance

of the Police throughout the Island, and for lighting the City of Victoria . The ordinary Expenditure, Exclusive of public works, - may be calculated at about £50,000, thus leaving-

about £20,000 available each year for extraordinary- Expenditure, and

and public works..

3.

The only public works of any.

Magnitude that now remain to be carried out are the New Gaol, and the Water supply. being urged

is now

for Victoria ; the former is

forward with all despatch, and the latter is to be commenced forthwith.

forthwith. The cost of these undertakings will amount together

to about £60,000, which will be met by the

balance at present in hand, and by the

annual surplus revenue, as the works will

extend over several

·years. -

4.

The Registrar General's retüm which accompany the Blue Book afford - much curious and interesting information in

reference to the population which on the 12t January last was estimated ah_