, 1898-04-27

III IhSI - hIbONb ~ A4NA "
lumber Of unfortunate circumstances which
have combined to effect a marked change
for the worse IN the prosperity Of the com
nunity. ] need not enumeIate the coHses
which have contributed TO this result; they
alr we'll known to you bat ! should like TO
say that although ] have been in Jamaica
but q short time, ! have learnt enough to
lead me to believe that the depression from
which the Island is suffering is due to causes
winch will prove to be temporary only, and
which ] trust viii soon pass away.
Tie change in the ciI cu1nstances Of the
neople has lad the natural fleet on the Pub
lie Revenue. The estimates for the cnrlent
vear auticipated ,IcceiI IS amounted TO
G545 $50. 1t is exl ,cted. however, that to
the 3lst instant only 9537, 900 will have
been received. which with an actual surplus
ON last wears amount If 60. 1853 gives an
available sum Of G542,959. The principal
items which have disarpoin ed anticipating
are Import Duties, which have yielded
G274,GG7 against an estimate OF 1870, ~,
and xcise Duties, from which only elO1,5 99
BIAS lccn obtained against an estimate OF
LI3C,CC0.
The expenditure for the year authorized
Y the Council was E642,4 4O (G640,040, on
tile Estimates and G2. 400 by special votes.)
Nv the exercise Of the most rigid economy
1852 1892 only has been spent. Notwiih-
standing this, | regret TO state that there
will probably DO a net deficit at the 31st
March on the current years transactions OF
about G89, 500.
The Estimates for the coming year have
been prepared by the Colonial Secretary
with tie utmost care, and with the ~strIctest
regard to economy. Every item OF ezpendl-
ture which it has been possible TO aVolo on
postpone without cousullim" lhe Legislature
sA-1 H.. AInNtIarS Will
aolce that such restriction is necessary III
view Of live figures | have quoted. 1t
would, however, be n short sighted ana
fatal policy to allow orr roads and public
buildings to fall into a stnte of dls''rolr
involving largely increased expenditure IN
future wears. Provision has accordingly
been made, though on the most mod'1aie
and limited scale consistent with 'hlelency,
for the maintenance Of roads and buildings.
The estimated Revenue f0r
1898 IS is tpo0,9O0
while the estimated oXpcndt-
turo is shown at b'4,l00
leaving a deficit OF / 9o'oo0
add to this the deficit Of the current year
ESQ. 500 and there remains a probable doIclt
of Gl84, $50 at 31st March, 1899.
The Hon0urable tho Colonial Secretary
and the Honorable the director of Public
Works will, however. be prepared to propose
to YOU c~erta reductions in the expenditure
mentioned on the Estimates, which will
reduce this deficit Ivy 10000, leaving it
in round figures at Gl74 800.
Proposals will be submitted to yon for
meeting thisd deficiency and am confident
that these will have your earnest consideFa-
ton,
The situation | need scarcely say cruises
the Government anxiety, but have no
doubt that with the assistance of the Elected
Members, in whose hands is the control
of the financial position, and with whom
therefore must rest to q great extent the
responsibility for adequately dealing with
it, the difficulty will be met and overcome.
1t is my duty to inform yon that snbse-
quont to the last session of this Council a
despatch was received from the Secretary
IF Stare in which he mentioned that The
question Of the salary of the Governor
Of Jamaica had received his careful consider
alton. and that after reading the report Of
the West Indian Royal CCmmission he had
come to the conclusion that, although the
depression is not so marked In Jamaica as
IN some others Of the British West Indian
Colonies, the salary Of the next Governor
should only be at the rate of Go, 900 per an
IN .. 1,.t;,, on,,, into font ~, M