, 1875-09-29

Extracts, the Committee called on the Presiu
dency for further information, 1stly, of the
amounts actually expended for those purposes
from tho Treasury, and 2ndly, with what warrant
they had been betrayed. The calculations here
given shew that the amounts were actually
betrayed in a previous year, but could not
appear on the accounts, as they had been
closed here before information thereof was
received, while the amounts themselves arc
correct. With regard to the warrant for de.
fraying those expenses, it was stated that they
have been betrayed By the Colonial Treasury
IN virtue of two Royal Resolutions, Of res
p%eotively 7th October 1S49 and 4th May 1879.
The first of these resolutions concerning the
disbursement of travelling expenses to Governor
Hansen, who was sent out as Royal Commis-
sloner, and Secretary Elberling, afforded an
analogy for the disbursement of the amounts
for the Royal Commissioner, Chamberlain Billie
and his Secretary, although there was a differ
enoe in the terms, the former expenses being
styled travelling expenses, the latter travelling
expenses, dietary and equipment. The last
named resolution secured Governor Garde on
his appointment his travelling expenses out to
these Islands. The expenses in lS49 we're
betrayed by the Statetreasury, but charged
among the disbursements for the colonies the
OUTLAWS of 1872 are divided between the two
Colonial Treasures.
The Chairman vacated the chair to the Woe
Chairman (Sarauw).
2nd Member for Christiansted's Country
District (Rosenstand) would, when the hon
durable Speaker spoke as though the matter is
settled when there is a Royal Resolution, beg
to object to it, if he intended to express a
general view. A Royal Resolution was not
sufficient to warrant an expenditure, which
must either have been granted by the Colonial
Council or otherwise warranted in virtue of
: So and 60 of the Colonial Law, according
to which expenditures can be based on Royal
Resolutions (before 1869 and other rules, that
must be considered binding. The Committee
and the Speaker had not mentioned those s s {;
but only in connexion with them can the quoting
Of a Resolution of l849 as a warrant for an ex-
pense in 1872 be understood. This Reso-
luton must have been quoted in order to shew
it is a rule, that when a Royal Commissioner
is sent out, the expenses attendant thereon
have been charged to the Colonies, and if
it is a rule, which remains intact until altered
by Legislature, then s GO is sufficient war;
rant now to defray the expenses from the
Colonial Treasury. AS regards the Governors
travelling expenses, he supposed that practice
had also established it asa rule, that they are
betrayed by the Colonies, and that such out
lays were betrayed not only in l849, but also
1852 and 1855 in that way. It will then be
noticed that the royal resolution by itself is not
a warrant for the expenditure, but when given
on the basis of former resolutions and an estab-
lished practice, there would be sufficient war
rant. AS the Council, he supposed, in reality
had no objection to the expenditure, it would
naturally not be very inclined to question the
warrant but it should be understood by hon.
Durable members, where the warrant was to be
found.
The Chairman resumed his seat.
The Spokesman (Surauw) believed that the
remarks of the honorable Chairman were to
the same effect as his own remarks to-day he,
the Spokesman, had admitted that the Reso-
luton of l849 afforded an analogy for the Colo
NAL Treasury defraying the expense in ques-
ton in 1872. But, if the Council would not
agree in that view, he could not see that we
could do anything else than to address His
Majesty agreeably to 65 of the Colonial Law.
The President considered it unnecessary for
him to say anything on the question brought
under consideration concerning the legal
warrant for the expenditure, beyond that he
had had no doubt of the meaning of the
Report in accordance with the remarks given
to-day by the honorable Spokesman; but
in reference to the Report, there are TIVE
points with regard to which be would make q
few remarks. With regard to the excuses
pointed out, he would say that the Presidency
has done and will always do its utmost to
keep the expenses, especially under those
snaciol ;tams olluded m within hounJa