8.—6

progress of our commercial and social surroundings and of our higher civilisation. Thus the excessive expenditure disappears, and I feel sure that members will not complain when the various votes comes to be considered by them.

ESTIMATED Expenditure of the Consolidated Fund (Revenue Account) for 1901-2, compared with Actual Expenditure of 1900-1.

Revenue. It is now necessary to review' the estimates of revenue, which I have set down at £5,839,000, together with £57,000 receipts to be derived from sale of debentures for Sinking Fund accretions. These two sums total to £5,896,000. Last year the actual receipts amounted to £5,905,506, showing that there is an estimated falling-off of revenue to the amount of £9,506 during this current year. I have no desire to be pessimistic, but one cannot be too cautious while framing the estimates for the year. It is only necessary to look around to see the solid evidence of prosperity which meets the eye ; at the same time I have to bear in mind that extraordinary events took place during the last financial year — events which undoubtedly had their effect in augmenting our revenue —events which are not likely to occur again, neither will others of a kindred character take their place : I allude to the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York. The visit of their Boyal Highnesses must have caused a vast outlay, spread over the whole community, and much of the expenditure has found its way to the Treasury coffers in the way of duties. On the other hand, we must not lose sight of the effect of the remissions which were made in the tariff in August last. Had it not been for the increased consumption of dutiable goods which has been noticeable for some years past, and for the extraordinary expenditure I have just referred to connected with the Boyal visit, there would have been a loss of revenue to the extent of £130,000, and I must still reckon for a loss of Customs revenue in connection with the reduction of duty to the extent of at least £100,000 for the current year. Some portion of this loss will, however, be made good by the increased consumption of articles not affected by the tariff alterations ; so I have set down

XVIII

Estimate for 1901-2. Actual of 1900-1. Increase. Differences. Decrease. Revenue Account. Civil List Interest and Sinking Fund .. ... Under special Acts £ I £ 33,100 29,173 1,819,225 j 1,745,610 582,155 ; 560,434 2,434,480 ' 2,335,223 £ 3,927 73,609 21,721 £ 99,257 Annual Appropriations,— Legislative Departments Colonial Secretary's Department Colonial Treasurer's Department Justice Department Postal and Telegraph Department Customs and Marine Department Stamps and Deeds Department Education Department Lunacy and Charitable Department Department of Labour Mines Department Department of Agriculture Working Railways Department Public and School Buildings and Domains Defence Department Police Department Lands and Survey Department Valuation Department Rates on Crown lands 19,887 25,205 185,438 116,138 44,424 ' 39,148 129,961 i 126,436 441,214 : 416,364 89,071 87,038 26,879 ' 26,256 512,519 ' 445,294 69,170 : 63,242 7,790 | 7,978 23,321 I 17,488 91,881 74,876 1,152,000 : 1,144,832 46,750 + 46,851 213,250 : 206,565 122,258 : 117,522 127,130 i 133,557 25,591 23,580 800 531 J 09,300 5,276 3,525 24,850 2,033 623 67,225 5,928 5,378 "l88 5,833 17,005 7,168 101 0,685 4,736 6,427 209 , 3,329,334 ; 3,118,961 222,467 12,094 Services not provided for I 25,519 25,519 321,724 37,613 37,613 Total 5,763,814 f 5,479,703 284,111