1882-08-11 — Page 1

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL No. 9.

THURSDAY, 11TH AUGUST, 1882.

PRESENT:

HIS EXCELLENCY THE ADMINISTRATOR

(WILLIAM HENRY MARSH, C.M.G.)

His Honour the Chief Justice, (SIR GEORGE PHILLIPPO).

The Honourable the Acting Colonial Secretary, (FREDERICK STEWART). " the Attorney General, (EDWARD LOUGHLIN O'MALLEY).

" the Colonial Treasurer, (JAMES RUSSELL).

" PHINEAS RYRIE.

" NG CHOY.

" FRANCIS BULKELEY JOHNSON.

" EMANUEL RAPHAEL BELILIOS.

ABSENT:

The Honourable WILLIAM KESWICK (on leave).

" JOHN MACNEILE PRICE (on leave).

The Minutes of the last Meeting of Council, held on the 27th April last, are read and confirmed.

The Administrator lays on the table, by direction of the Secretary of State, a letter from Mr. PRICE, Surveyor General, to the Secretary of State, dated London, 1st May, 1882, giving explanations as to the charge brought against him by Governor Sir JOHN POPE HENNESSY of having delayed the execution of the Breakwater.

His Excellency also lays on the table, by direction of the Secretary of State, a letter from Mr. PRICE on the subject of the Tramways Ordinance, and informs the Council that this Ordinance is still under the consideration of the Secretary of State.

The Administrator lays on the table the Estimates for 1883, together with the following explanatory minute:─

MINUTE.

In laying before the Council the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the year 1883, I think it will be interesting to Honourable Members, if I give at the same time some information about the financial position of the Colony.

2. The balance of Colonial Assets on 1st January last was $663,710.24, and that of the Special Fund Assets at the same period was $379,910.00, making a total of $1,043,620.24.

3. The Secretary of State, in recently conveying his decision that the construction of the Tytam Water Works should be at once undertaken, has expressed the opinion that as these works will largely benefit the Chinese Community, the Special Fund, so far as it will go, might be very properly applied to this purpose. I propose therefore, with His Lordship's sanction, to close the Special Fund Account at the end of the present year, and to transfer the balance to general account. The Tytam

Water Works, as well as the expenditure for completion of the Breakwater at Causeway Bay will then be charged against balances. It will be seen that in the present Estimates these Public Works are only referred to in a note, and also that the contribution to Police Expenditure from interest produced by the Special Fund, as well as the provision for refund of loans from this Fund for the construction of the Praya and Lighthouses have been omitted.

4. In a despatch which was recently laid before this Council, the Secretary of State observed that premia from purchases of land, which are receipts for alienation of Colonial property, ought to be regarded in the light of Capital rather than of Annual Revenue. I have accordingly omitted this item from the Estimates of Revenue for 1883. As it may be interesting to know how much these premia have yielded, I have had a statement made up from which it appears that the total sum received since they were first levied in 1851 is $1,069,504.00. This sum is within $25,000.00 of the total balance of Assets to the Credit of the Colony at the commencement of the year. It may be considered, therefore, that the Receipts from the Establishment of the Colony, up to the present time, including both Imperial Grants and Special Fund, but excluding these premia, about balance the expenditure during the same period. During the early period after the occupation, the Expenditure was greatly in excess of Revenue, but in the course of the last ten years the excess of Revenue over Expenditure, excluding premia on land sales, has amounted to $432,386.00. In the two years 1874 and 1876, the Expenditure exceeded Revenue by $100,000.00; the $432,386.00 represents, therefore, the nett excess after deducting this sum. The progress which the Colony has made as indicated by these figures is most satisfactory.

REVENUE.

5. I have estimated the Revenue for 1883 at $1,115,665.00. In comparing this figure with the receipts for 1881, which were $1,324,455.00, and with the Estimates for the present year, which are $1,131,860.00, it must be remembered that premia on land sales and the contribution from Special Fund for Police have, as already explained, been omitted this year. The Grant-in-Aid of the Lock Hospital by the Admiralty has also been omitted, because a separate account is now kept of all other Receipts and Expenditure on account of Ordinance 10 of 1867.

If these deductions be made the Receipts of 1881 will be reduced to $1,113,945.00, and the Estimates for the present year will not be more than $1,100,960.00.

6. I think that in estimating the Revenue for 1883 at $1,115,665.00, I have not been too sanguine. There is an increase of $5,000.00 under the head of Licences, which seems to be warranted by the receipts of the last six months. Interest has also been increased by $10,000.00, on account of the proposed transfer of balance of Special Fund to general account. This item will probably be higher, but it will depend upon the progress that it will be possible to make with the different public works in the course of next year. There is also a considerable increase in "Miscellaneous Receipts." which is based on the collections from this source, especially for Storage of Gunpowder, during the first half of the year. Fines, Forfeitures, and Fees of Court show a small increase of $2,000.00, and Fees of Office are augmented by $3,000.00, for although a reduction of $5,000.00 has been made on account of the stoppage of the extensive Emigration to the United States, this is more than counter-balanced by

the increase on Light Dues, Registration of Deeds, &c. On the other hand, I have made a reduction of $10,000.00 for Stamps, the collections on this account appearing to me to have been abnormally high for some time past, principally owing to transfers of land and litigation connected therewith. Reimbursements in aid of Expenditure are $8,000.00 less,─the Estimate for convict labour having been reduced,

and the two items Contribution by Admiralty, and from Special Fund having been omitted.

EXPENDITURE.

7. I have estimated the Expenditure of 1883 at $1,081,732, which may be classified as follows:─

Ordinary Expenditure, ................................... $ 810,915

Public Works, Roads, &c., ............................ 161,750

Military Expenditure, .................................... 109,067

$ 1,081,732

The Ordinary Expenditure in 1881 amounted to $762,660, and for this year it has been estimated at $792,816. The increase of over $19,000 shewn in next year's Estimates is thus explained.

8. There is a small increase of $444 in the Audit Department for a copying clerk who is much required, and a coolie to be employed in stamping blank receipts with series of consecutive numbers, a check on fraud that was recommended by a Committee appointed by the Secretary of State to inquire into the Questions of Defalcations in the Colonies.

9. In the Registrar General's Department, the salary and allowance of a passed Cadet who is provisionally attached to this Department until an opportunity occurs for giving him a permanent appointment causes an increase of $1,920.

10. the re-organization of the Establishment of the Supreme Court authorized by the Secretary of State, but hitherto only partially carried out, accounts for an increase of nearly $4,000.

11. In the Medical Establishment it has been found necessary to make larger provision for washing, medicines and provisions, &c., to the extent of $1,800. The upkeep of the Steam-Launch of the Health Officer and Office-rent for that Officer, already voted by the Council, cause an increase of $1,000. On the other hand, this year's Estimates provided $4,000, for a Steam-Launch for the Health Officer which will, in all probability, be paid for this year. This item does not appear therefore in next year's Estimates, which consequently exhibit on the whole a slight decrease under this head.

12. Provision has been made for the salaries of eight additional European Constables who are expected from home. These together with an increase in the good conduct allowances, and of the provision for oil, &c., augment the Estimates by $4,540, to which must be added certain allowances hitherto paid to Captain DEANE

and Mr. CREAGH from the Special Fund, which are really transfers and not increases. The total excess shewn by the Police Estimates of next year amounts to $6,220.

13. For the Gaol, the provisional appointment of four additional Turnkeys has already been sanctioned by the Finance Committee. This causes an increase of about

$1,400.

14. Under the Head Education, there is a reduction in the Normal School which the Secretary of State directed to be made amounting to $1,408. On the other hand, the increase to Grants-in-Aid is estimated at $2,461. The net increase is therefore only $1,365.

15. The Pension of $7,000 granted to SIR JOHN SMALE has rendered it necessary to increase the amount estimated for Pensions.

16. I have introduced a small increase of $1,000 for laying out the upper part of the Government Gardens immediately below the Robinson Road.

17. Under Light-houses the sum of $2,000 provided hitherto for re imbursement of the loan from the Special Fund has in accordance with the arrangement which I have already referred to, been omitted from next year's estimates. Miscellaneous Services have been reduced by $2,000. Details of other smaller changes of not sufficient importance to be referred to here, will be seen in a statement that has been prepared by the Acting colonial Secretary.

18. The contribution to Military Expenditure shews an increase of $2,300 which is owing to the rate of exchange being estimated at 3/9 instead of 3/10.

19. Under the head of Works and Buildings I have provided for the completion of the new Water Police Station, for a new Lunatic Asylum and for the conversion of the Lock into a Civil Hospital, which last two items are revotes. I have also inserted $25,000 on account of a new Central School. The other items do not require any remarks as they are nearly the same as appear in each year's Estimates for upkeep of different public buildings.

20. The Council is requested to vote separately the sums of $100,000 on account of the Tytam Water Works, and $10,000 for completion of the breakwater at Causeway Bay as these amounts are proposed to be taken from balances.

21. The sum provided for Road, Streets and Bridges will not I think be found too high. It is $5,700 in excess of the provision for this year, but it must be remembered that the Council has already had to vote a supplementary sum of $6,000 for Road and Street Contingencies. The Acting Surveyor General states that $14,000 is the very lowest sum at which the Streets and Roads out of Victoria can be kept in proper repair.

22. The expenditure on account of Public Works including Roads, Streets and Bridges was, in 1881, $110,417. For this year it has been estimated at $152,050 and for next year I have provided $161,750.

23. The surplus of Revenue over Expenditure exhibited by these estimates is smaller than has been recently provided, but I have every confidence that it will prove sufficient. There is generally a saving under the head of Establishments, as no allowance can be made in preparing the estimates for possible contingencies of officers being absent on leave, when a portion of salary generally lapses to the Treasury.

W. H. MARSH,

Administrator.

11th August, 1882.

Appendix.

Statement of Premia on Sales of Leased Lands from 1851 to 1881.

(The system of disposing leasehold by public auction for a premium began in 1851. Vide Secretary of State's Despatch No. 222 of 2nd January, 1851.)

PREMIA. PREMIA.

1851, ………………… $ 211.00 Brought forward, … $ 659,747.14 1852, ………………… 926.00 1867, ………………… 66,300.00 1853, ………………… 795.00 1868, ………………… 14,700.00 1854, ………………… 5,661.00 1869, ………………… …… 1855, ………………… 75,460.00 1870, ………………… ……

1856, ………………… 5,477.00 1871, ………………… 400.00 1857, ………………… 70,770.00 1872, ………………… 400.00 1858, ………………… 9,095.00 1873, ………………… 967.00 1859, ………………… 7,170.00 1874, ………………… 1,140.00 1860, ………………… 87,274.00 1875, ………………… 5,350.00 1861, ………………… 174,596.00 1876, ………………… 14,000.70 1862, ………………… 142,612.00 1877, ………………… 84,402.19 1863, ………………… 6,490.00 1878, ………………… 11,031.70 1864, ………………… 13,336.14 1879, ………………… 1,407.59 1865, ………………… 58,650.00 1880, ………………… 5,998.35 1866, ………………… 1,224.00 1881, ………………… 203,659.20 Carried forward, … 659,747.14 $ 1,069,503.87

FREDERICK STEWART,

Acting Auditor General.

AUDIT OFFICE, 10th July, 1882.

The Administrator moves the first reading of the Appropriation Bill for 1883. The Acting Colonial Secretary seconds the motion, which is carried.

The Bill is then read a first time, and the Estimates are referred to the Finance Committee of the Council.

The Acting Colonial Secretary asks for Legislative authority for the following votes in excess of the Estimates for 1881 and 1882 respectively, which have passed the Finance Committee:─

IN EXCESS OF THE ESTIMATES FOR 1881.

(Finance Committee, 9th April, 1881.)

Miscellaneous Services.

No. 115. Compensation to Mr. COUGHTRIE for damages sustained, owing

S. of S. Desp.

to the bursting of a drain under his house, in May, 1878, ..... $ 1,500.00

(Finance Committee, 4th July, 1882.)

ESTABLISHMENTS.

Governor.

Contingencies:─Repairs of Public Furniture at Government House, and Incidental expenses, excess, ............................... $ 114.78

Auditor General.

Contingencies:─Excess Printing Government Gazette, ............ $ 76.18 Do. Forms, and Documents, ..................... ` 1,495.50 Stationary─A portion of the supply of 1880 paid by the Crown

Agents in 1881, ..................................................................... 527.67 $ 2,099.35

Colonial Treasurer.

Salaries:─Loss in exchange on account of a portion of the

Treasurer's Salary being paid in England at 4/2 per dollar, .... $ 24.11 Contingencies, excess, ............................................................... 23.73 $ 47.84

Registrar General.

Salaries: ─ Salary of the 2nd Clerk omitted in the Annual

Estimates, .............................................................................. $ 1,440.00

Harbour Master.

Salary of Clerk to Government Marine Surveyor, from 11th

August to 30th November, 1881, at $40 per month, ............. $ 147.10 Salary of a Messenger to Government Marine Surveyor, from 1st August to 30th November, 1881, at $6 per month, ......... 24.00

Contingencies:─Hire of Steam Launch for the Government

Marine Surveyor, at $75 per month, 1st August to 30th

November, ............................................................................. 300.00 Maintenance of Launch at $40 per month, ................................. 160.00 Incidental expenses, ................................................................... 8.92 $ 640.02

EXCLUSIVE OF ESTABLISHMENTS.

Education.

Grants-in-Aid Payment in excess of the amount voted, ............. $ 669.77

C.S.O.

No. 1656 of 1881.

C.S.O.

No. 281 and 286 of 1881.

Medical─Civil Hospital.

No. 2333. Provisions for patients, excess, .................................................... $ 1,137.77

C.S.O.

No. 1126. Bedding Do. do., ...................................................... 399.93

C.S.O.

Medicines, do., ...................................................... 1,785.06 Surgical Instruments, do., ...................................................... 677.70 Light and Fuel, do., ...................................................... 402.40

C.S.O.. No. 2110.

Washing, do., ...................................................... 261.46 Incidental expenses, do., ...................................................... 93.04 $ 4,757.36

Police.

Passages, excess, ........................................................................ $ 652.79

No. 2980. Gas and Oil for Barracks, excess, .............................................. 139.48

C.S.O.

Clothing and Accoutrements, excess, ........................................ 819.09 No. 825. Bedding, do., .......................................... 92.37

C.S.O.

C.S.O.

No. 243

of 1881.

$5,692.50.

C.S.O.

No. 2651

and 2940.

S. of S. Desp. No. 108

of 1878.

Repairs to Floating Station, Boats, &c., &c., ............................. 6,881.16

Coal and Oil for Launches, excess, ............................................ 821.48 12 New Recruits from England, bounty money, Medical fees, &c., ......................................................................................... 1,122.15 $ 10,528.52

Gaol.

Provisions for prisoners, excess, ................................................ $ 800.32 Lighting the Gaol, do., ................................................. 202.77 Clothing, Shoes, &c., do., ................................................. 186.81 $ 1,189.90

Miscellaneous Services.

Telegraph Service, excess, ......................................................... $ 2,093.46 Government House Furniture, .................................................... 2,871.05 Loss in Exchange on Family Remittances and Advances, ......... 2,603.51 $ 7,568.02

Military Expenditure.

Excess over the amount estimated for Military Contribution, on account of low rate of exchange, ........................................... $ 3,443.32

S. of S. Desp. No. 49 of

31st March, 1882.

IN EXCESS OF THE ESTIMATES FOR 1882.

(Finance Committee, 4th July, 1882.)

ESTABLISHMENTS.

Surveyor General.

Two months' full instead of half salary to Mr. PRICE whilst in England, ................................................................................. $ 480.00 Refund to Mr. PRICE for travelling and other expenses incurred in the Public Service £74.10.0 at 3/9 per dollar, ................... 397.34 $ 877.34

Educational.

No. 971. Grand of $5 per month to the School at Akungngám, from 15th

C.S.O.

March, ................................................................................... $ 42.50 No. 984. Grand of $5 per month to the School at Wongmákok, from 15th

C.S.O.

March, ................................................................................... 42.50 Rent for Wongmákok School at $1 per month, from March to November, inclusive, ............................................................. 9.00 $ 94.00

SERVICES EXCLUSIVE OF ESTABLISHMENTS.

No. 1532. Gratuity to WONG TAK, messenger Supreme Court, on

C.S.O.

retirement in consequence of ill-health, after 20 years'

service, at the rate of one month's pay for each year's

service, ................................................................................... $ 140.00 Works and Buildings.

S. of S. Desp. No. 69 of

28th April, 1882.

C.S.O.

Observatory─Grant to Major PALMER for his report on the proposed Observatory, .......................................................... $ 1,000.00

No. 1937. Time Ball─Remuneration to the Officer, who superintends the dropping of the Time Ball on board H.M.S. Victor Emanuel,

at $30 per month from 1st August, ........................................ 120.00 $ 1,120.00

Miscellaneous Services.

C.S.O.

No. 1729. Sanitary Commission─Remuneration to Mr. SUNG ASING for extra work done in connection with statistics prepared for

Mr. CHADWICK, ..................................................................... $ 25.00 No. 1220. Constructing Tide Gauge at Cape D'Aguilar, ............................ 58.44

C.S.O.

C.S.O.

No. 557, 956 and 1970.

Wages of a watchman to record observations at Cape D'Aguilar at $9 per month, from 1st May, ............................................. 63.00 $ 146.44

Stamp Duty.

No. 2087. Refund of Stamp duty paid on the gross value instead of the

C.S.O.

nett value of the Estate of the late RICHARD JAMES GILMAN, $ 435.60

Land Purchased.

No. 1653. Purchase of seven sections (i. q. u. v. w. y. and z.) of Inland Lot

C.S.O.

418, with five Chinese houses erected thereon, .................... $ 2,600.00

Mr. Johnson makes some remarks in connection with the Vote of $1,000 to Major PALMER.

His Excellency replies. The votes are then passed by the Council.

The Acting Colonial Secretary moves the first reading of the Supplementary Appropriation Bill for 1881.

The Colonial Treasurer seconds the motion, which is carried.

The Bill is read a first time.

The Acting Colonial Secretary, by command of His Excellency the Administrator, lays on the table the Lock Hospital Estimates for 1883, and they are referred to the Finance Committee.

The Attorney General moves the first reading of a Bill entitled "French Mail Steamers Ordinance continuation Ordinance 1882."

The Acting Colonial Secretary seconds the motion, which is carried. The Bill is read a first time.

The Attorney General moves the suspension of the Standing Orders. The Acting Colonial Secretary seconds the motion, and it is carried.

The Bill is then read a second time, committed, and passed, being numbered No. 13 of 1882.

The Administrator informs the Council that instructions have been received from the Secretary of State for the commencement of the Tytam Water Scheme.

His Excellency adjourns the Council sine die.

W. H. MARSH,

Administrator.

Read and confirmed this 24th day of August, 1882.

ARATHOON SETH,

Clerk of Councils.