, 1874-10-10

tno rus previously followed. With reference
10 Inc committees remarks on the specification
OF the building Expenses, he must say, that the
Accounts for this year, which as usual have
been compiled by the Ministry, do not contain
the customary calculations in that resneot.
but II the Committee had considered the mat.
Ter OF so much Importance, it would have ap-
pied to the Presidency, from whom it would
have been able to obtain fully detailed state
ments whereas, from the Report it might be
construed that the Committee had applied but
the Presidency was unwilling to furnish the
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES the Committee observes
that there appears to be an excess c expendi-
ture under the Building Expenses, because the
repairs of the Wharf, for which purpose 1880
had been granted, had not been done, but still
the total expenses was only $1263 below the
SUM granted, instead Of $500 he would reply
that this is mistake on the part of the Com
mittee, as the sum for the repairs of the wharf
was only 5000, so that in reality there was a
saving of $273, instead of an excess. The
Committees suggestions in reference to the
posting of certain items now entered under
Uncertain Expenses, he could not entertain,
not only because the Budgets and Grents have
been passed in that form, and the accounts
must agree with them, but also because he
considered the present mode more correct and
causing less trouble if there were likely to
come any good out Of il, be might have con-
sidered the matter; but he could not see any
benefit, but rather Inconvenience aud trouble
as a consequence of the Committees method.
Moreover, the rules now followed, have been
observed long before the Colonial Treasury
came in existence and all the time it has exist
ed-.The Committees remarks about the word
ing of the charge for printing the Colonial
Councils proceedings ard Laa0s etc, are cor
ro0t. hnt thfc iooirpi6Oapt annoy Ugbiob 10 0oovo
ly in the writing, but not in the charge itself,
is not committed by the Presidency.
The Speaker (SaraaD) acknowledged His
Excellency's remarks about the excess under
the Bookkeeper's salary are correct and as
regards The specification of the Building Ex-
penses, the Committee had not been aware of
the Accounts being framed by The Ministry.
and there was an excuse for the Committee
not applying to the Presidency, after such a
length Of time had gone by since the matter
came on all such calculations should, howev-
er, be in one place for, it could not be expect
ed that the should go to the Presi-
dency Cn every small item where it wants elu-
oidaiion. Although His Excellency had said
nothing about the division between :he two
Treasures oaItain items of expenditure under
the military department, the Speaker felt sure
the needful would be done.
The President stated that the Government,
under whom the Military more strictly belongs,
always causes a division of such expenses Ell
ther at the time they are incurred, or at the
end Of the financial year. But with regard to
the expense for passage of recruits from West
end TO Cbristiansted after they had arrived in a
vessel from Copenhagen, and which the Com
mittee thinks the owners of the vessel should
have borne, that could not be exacted, as they
had only contracted to deliver the men in St.
Croix, and there was so much the less excuse
to demand it from them, as the Captain before
leaving Copenhagen had made enquiries at the
Recruiting Office as to where the men were TO
be landed without receiving any positive an
swer. A proper division of the expense would
be made between the two Treasures, if not
made already.
5th Crownmember {Jarsj enquired if the
Committee admitted the correctness Of His
Excellency's statement, that the amount for
repairs to The wharf was not $500 but 5000;
on this point the Speaker had not expressed
himself.
The Speaker said the Committee had not
had the detailed statement; but $1,000 was
the amount entered in the grant.
The President explained that the amount
granted was 81, 500 in all for repairs TO the
Buildings under the Customs & HarbOr De-
partment; of that sum only $500 were for
- L. H. --Lo-c