Sessional_Paper_1886-1887 — Page 459

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Of the Loan of £200,000, £15,000 remain unexpended.

The estimated Ordinary Expenditure was $1,245,434, and during the first eight months of the year we expended $988,337.

The Extraordinary Expenditure was estimated at $760,000. and up till the 31st August we had expended $496,885.

The only exceptional increases on expenditure were the new launch Victoria, $12,000, and the Hunghòm Market $6,000. -

The amount provided for Defence Works was $696,000, of which $496,083 have been expended. It must be remembered that when the loan of £200,000 was voted, the home Government had only asked for £56,000 for the Fortifications, afterwards increased to £116,000, leaving us short by £60,000 of the sum required for other public works-yet additional loans and rates have been dispensed with, and the opponents of the Spirit Farm, relying on the elasticity of the revenue from existing sources, have so far been justified, and it is hoped may be so in the future.

In conclusion, Honourable Gentlemen, I wish to thank you before we separate for your valuable assistance in the legislative business brought before you, and your unvarying courtesy and friendly feeling on all occasions and under all circumstances, whatever differences of opinion may have sometimes arisen, on public questions.

I have also to thank you for the supplies so liberally voted for the Public service, and for the sum you have this day allowed to be appropriated to supple- ment the very handsome public subscription to the Jubilee Fund and enable the loyal people of this Colony to worthily celebrate the 50th Anniversary of their beloved Sovereign's accession to the throne.

I now declare the Session to be closed.

W. G. CAMERON.