, 1877-04-14

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change in 1872, since when, most of the articles
required for military use are purchased and
made up here, according as they are required.
Of course the prices include the duty paid into
the Trea>uryOn such stuff, whereas no duty had
been received on the articles while they were
imported. consequently the increased expense
is somewhat less than it appears, With refer
ence to the excess of expenditure under the
Building Expenses for repairs to tho School
house in ChriSiiansted, the additional expense
was so to speak forced Oh the administrator /;
for when efecting some approved alterations
and partial repairs to he building, it was
found that other parts Of the building were in
such q state that they required immediate re-
pairs, and the School Commission, some Mem
bors of which had in the Colonial Council op-
posed further repairs than those originally con-
templated, did afterwards strongly recommend
the extended repairs as necessary without any
delay. AS for the excess under the Hospital
Expenses, it might appear rather unWarranted,
but it will be remembered that excessus to about
the same amount have each previous year shown
themselves, and as 1t was thereby proved, that
the amounts fixed by the grants were below
what is required by The actual circumstances,
the item has in the two last budgets been posted
with considerably higher sums.
The Speaker (LemmiRS) was sorry to hear
His ExceIlency say it was impossible for the
Presidency to accept the suggestion, to fix the
estimated revenue so that the difference be-
tween that and the actual revenue should not
exceed 30 or % pr. CT. We know from private
life that if we put down our income % Pr. CT.
above what it actually is, we are apt to go
M to the fall amount when making expenses.
He could, besides, not see why the Budgets
coull not here be fixed as elsewhere, not by
mathematical calculation, bat by an estimate
of what can be expected under all the branches
with due consideration to possible falling offs
from unforeseen causes We have a good stand
ard in the crop the import and.expOrt duty
NAV be regulated after that, and so also many
of the ether taxes. At the time the Budgets
are submitted, a very good idea might be
formed of the returns, and the income could
be fixed accordingly and this is what the
Committee had recommended tbs Council to
suggest.
Isl Member for Frederiksted (SardNv) be-
lieved the rule for calculating the revenue
items is, as stated by His Excellenoy, to take
the average of the 3 previous years returns /;
against this rule Budget Committees have
often objected, but it was always urged, that
as some rule must necessarily be followed,
this was the one most suited. Bat at times
the estimates have been too high, especially
when the actual state Of things plainly foretOld
that we must expect less returns than in any
of the three years used for finding the aver
ace: in such cases the items have been pro-
posed to be reduced, and they have general
ly been 50 altered.
The Chairman pointed out that the Council
and It's different Budgot-COmmittees equally
with the President have to bear the responsibility
when some Of the revenue items, especially of
late, have remained in tho Budget with too
large amounts, since it did not make any direct
proposals for having them altered.
No one else requested the word the dis
c%ussions werc closed.
The Council consented tacitly TO the excesseS
of expenditure mentioned by the Committee.
In regard to the Revenue the Council adop-
ted with 9 votes against | to suggest to the
Presidency that 10 future when making cal
c~ulations for fixing the revenue items of the
budget, the Presidency would take care TO
avoid so large a difference between the estlma-
sed and the actual revenue.
Tue Chairman notified that during the meet
ing he had received an invitation from His
Excellency the Vice Governor to the Councils
Members to attend a Ieve, in honour of the
anniversary of His Majesty's Birthday. Sunday
9Th inst, Q o'clock p. m. at Government
House.
The Order of Day being exhausted, the
meeting was closed at II o'clock.