MONT SERRAT. complaint by some of the resident shopkeepers. Of these importations no account has been at all taken at the custom house, and I therefore am of opinion that had the entire import trade of the island for 1857 appeared on the face of the accompanying returns a large increase, instead of the present small decrease, would have been shown. 8. In order to give at one view the best exposition of the commerce of the island, I have annexed to this report returns showing the general import and export trade, as well as the amount of shipping employed therein during the years 1855, 1856, and 1857. 9. To elucidate the actual financial condition of the island more clearly than can be done by a reference to the official tables in the Blue Book, the treasurer has prepared a statement of the revenue and expenditure for 1857, that in one view sets forth all the transactions of the past year, and this document I have also appended to my report. 10. Although the actual receipts in 1857 would have enabled the executive to meet the expenditure of the year, yet the treasury was quite unequal to discharge at the same time the arrears of 1856; to supply the deficiency therefore the legislature in November last passed an Act increasing the first instalment of the land tax payable in March 1858, by an additional rate of 8s. on every 100l. of real estate returned for assessment in the island. 11. This additional rate has now been received, and I have the satisfaction of stating that the entire public expenditure of the island to the 31st December last has been cleared off, not only without at all trenching on the revenue of 1858, but leaving out of the additional rate just referred to a surplus of 1467. for the service of the present year. 12. I have from my arrival here striven by every means in my power to place the financial affairs upon a respectable footing. In my annual reports for 1855 and 1856 I alluded to the steps I had taken for correcting some of what I consider the worst evils in the former system of the island, and I am glad to say that I have received the co-operation of the Council and Assembly in placing what I trust will prove a final check to the remission of taxes, and the voting grants of money to individuals who may chance to have favour and interest with the members of the legislature. By a rigid adherence also to the rule of issuing no warrant to the treasurer for payments at a future period, I have quite extinguished a description of paper money long known in this island as "treasury orders." During the past year all payments have been made from the treasury either in specie or in notes of the Colonial Bank, and every claim on account of the public service for the present quarter ending the 31st inst. will on the customary vote being agreed to by the legislature be punctually and fully met. 13. As the Land Tax Act, passed in 1855, expires in the present year, it is very essential that the legislature should, without any further delay, determine on the rule that is to prevail with regard to taxation for the future. From resolutions passed in the Assembly, I consider it may for certain be inferred that recourse will again be had to the old three-fold system of duties on imports and exports, and the imposition of a land tax. 14. For the present year, indeed, the two instalments of the land tax, with a duty on imports, may suffice; provided, however, that the Act for the imposition of the latter be not much longer postponed. For 1859 the duties of imports and exports, and a land tax of three-quarters per cent. (the old accustomed rate) would give a revenue adequate to the public service as it exists at present. 15. The difference, however, between the amount received and the amount expended under such arrangement would be so slight in favour of the former, that, unless the community will submit to increased burdens, it will be impossible for the executive to effect any of the improvements that are urgently called for, or, I should say, supply any of the deficiencies that are so much to be deplored in this island. 16. In opening the present session of the legislature, I dwelt upon the necessity of adequate provision being made from the public resources for the maintenance of clergy and teachers, in proportion to the requirements of the community, for the repairs of churches and schoolhouses, and also for securing the services of a properly qualified medical practitioner; beyond, however, a general admission of these deficiencies on the part of the Council and Assembly, I regret I have it not in my power to report further progress. These wants have, indeed, year after year, been pressed by the executive on the attention of the local legislature. The insufficiency of the ordinary revenue to meet the current expenses of the government, and the unwillingness of the community to submit to special local assessments for these purposes, have been hitherto alleged by both chambers of the legislature as insuperable difficulties for the accomplishment of the desired ends. For my own part, judging from the past, I must confess that I am not sanguine that anything approaching to a satisfactory establishment of the institutions. of Montserrat on an efficient and creditable footing will be attained until an improvement has been effected in the present machinery of legislation, either by the union in one body of reduced numbers of the Council and Assembly, or by the complete incorporation of the island with Antigua. To the latter mode, as the one most beneficial to the community, I am, as your Excellency is already · aware, the more inclined. His Excellency the Governor in Chief, &c. &c. I have, &c. (Signed) EDW. RUSHWORTH. Pitch Puncheons, empty 806 8 0 142 7 5 72 barrels 25 lbs. 12 bushels 298 0 cwt. qrs. lbs. 440 0 0 110 barrels 54 bushels 386 15 0 15 4 0 EXPORTS-Continued. COMPARISON of the quantity of Sugar exported in the years 1855, 1856, 1857. MONTO SERRAT. NUMBER of Vessels that have entered Inwards and cleared Outwards.during the years No. Tons. Men. No. Tons. Men. No. Tons. Men. No. Tons. Men. No. Tons. Men. No. Tons. Men. 134 4,108 696 129 3,633 665 157 4,418 661 155 4,353 653 244 6,516 1,130 240 6,492 1,020 STATEMENT of the Revenue and Expenditure of Montserrat for the year 1857. No. 27. St.Kitts. COPY of DESPATCH from Governor HAMILTON to the Right Hon. Lord STANLEY. (No. 52.) Leeward Islands, Antigua, May 21, 1857. (Received June 15, 1858.) MY LORD, I HAVE the honour to forward to your Lordship copy of a Despatch from 26 April 1858. Lieutenant Governor Robinson with the Blue Book of St. Kitts for the year 1857. 2. The satisfactory state of the finances of that colony, in which a settled revenue has been secured for some years, will admit of measures of general utility and sanitary improvement being carried out. 3. The remunerative prices of exported produce is stated to have been attended with the rise of wages of 33 per cent.; and the population being actively employed, there has not during the year been a crime of any magnitude; and the imprisonments for offences have been only 253 in a population of 22,200. 4. The agricultural prospects of the island are most encouraging, and an increase of labour is alone wanted to augment the export of sugar. I have, &c. KER B. HAMILTON. Encl. in No. 20. &c. &c. &c Enclosure in No. 20. Revenue SIR, COPY of DESPATCH from Lieut.-Governor ROBINSON to Governor HAMILTON. (No. 27.) St. Christopher, April 26, 1858. I HAVE the honour to forward the Blue Book of St. Kitts for the year 1857. 2. The financial condition of the colony continues satisfactory. The revenue of 1857 exceeds that of 1856 by 3,205l. 6s., being respectively, exclusive of the sums raised for immigration purposes, 19,399l. 19s. 3d. and 16,1941. 13s. 3d. The expenditure for the same period is increased by 2,0071. 19s. 11d., being in 1857 18,0417. 4s. 4d., and in 1856 16,0331. 4s. 5d. 3. The increase in the revenue may be taken as evidence of the progressive improvement of the island, there being without any additional taxation, an increase under each separate tax or duty, as will be seen by a reference to the comparative statement at pages 30 and 31 of the Blue Book. The revenue of last year exceeds, by several thousand pounds, the largest ever before raised. 1857. £19,399 19 3 4. The increase in the expenditure is attributable to the large outlay Expenditure - 18,041 4 4 upon public works, the particulars of which will be noticed under that head; the ordinary expenditure of the colony has not increased, and the £1,358 14 11 total disbursements during the period under review have been less than the receipts by 1,3587. 14s. 11d. 5. The cash balance in the treasury upon the 31st December last amounted to Balance in Treasury on 31st December 1857 Total assets Deduct liabilities to 31st December 1857 Net Balance available for the services of 1858 |