Tue Report of the Municipal Council for the year just ended shows a rather striking "difference between the estimated and the actual outlay, both ju detail and in total. The Council have spent Tis, 289,076, against Tis, 211,836 passed at the last Ratepayers' mesting, and have diverged to the extent of Tls. 81,808 from the detailed appropriations; that is to say, the accounts show an increase beyond the estimate, under various heads, of Tls. 54,524, while Tis, 27,284 have been saved under others, leaving an actual excess of Tls. 27,240. The chief item of increase, Tls. 14,142 for roads, is one that the community will not regret, if they are satisfied that it Ins been judiciously spent; for the ostension and completion of our street system is a pressing duty. Nearly Tis, 8,000 of this increase, we be-hove, was incurred in baying and making roads on the old race-course besides Tls, 1,240, which will certainly nathe grudged, for the extension of the Canton Road to the Defence Creek. The next large item is more apparent than real, Tis, 2,000 only were ap-Feekuse that was the sum which the propriated for the Fire Department,
Municipality purposed to spend; it was known that the actual outlay would be greater, but it was anticipated that the Insurance Offices which derive great benefit from the Institution would contribute the remainder.
And these bl did contribute a certain sum, which subscriptions from the and from various Chinese guilds raised to Tls. 4681—leaving an actual surplus in Municipal expenditure of only Tis, 1,000, attributable to the Hongkew Bell Tower and the introduction of extinctours, There is an increase of Ins. 8,796 in salaries and allowances, attributable, we presume, partly to the increase which has been found neces-ary in the office staff; and there is an increase of Tls, 3,100 in stationery, advertising and printing, attributable attri Wo presume partly to the parsi with which successive Councils estimate snimpossibly infinitesimal outlay under this Head. Of an inerenge of Tls. 3,691 tudor the head of drainage, we say, as we said of roads, that the Municipalit will nob grade it if satisfied that it is vell spent, Good drainage and good communications are equally essential tour well-being.
Passing over the lesser items of in. crease, and turning to the resources Which have enabled the Council to meet this excessive outlay, and yet fo leave a balance of Tis.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.