224 HISTORY, GOVERNMENT, ETC., 



Council in carrying out what they deem best for the interests of the 

 colony. They have no power or control over the revenue, which in 

 reality is under the supervision and direction of the Lords Commis- 

 sioners of her Majesty's treasury. 



The Governor is not allowed to expend any sum over £200 for any 

 one service, (unless under very urgent circumstances,) without the 

 previous sanction of the home government ; and although at liberty to 

 draw that amount, it is on his own responsibility ; he must account for 

 it, and show the absolute necessity for its use. 



The estimates for the ensuing year are made in June, and forwarded 

 for approval. The expenditure must be limited by this estimate, and 

 no further disbursements applied for on account of that year, unless 

 under circumstances entirely unforeseen. 



The estimate, after undergoing the supervision of the colonial legis- 

 lative body, must also undergo the scrutiny of the commissioners of 

 the treasury officers, before any instructions are given by the Secretary 

 of State. 



The estimates for taxation follow the same course, and the Council 

 has no control over the funds arising from the property or droits of the 

 crown. 



The Governor, in transmitting his accounts for audit, sends them 

 accompanied by certified copies of all estimates of expenditures to 

 which the accounts relate, and of all ordinances for the imposition of 

 taxes, with copies of the despatches sent him by the Secretary of 

 State, conveying the sentiments of her Majesty's government upon 

 them ; and it is required that full detailed statements of the revenue and 

 expenditures of the colony be published in the Colonial Gazette imme- 

 diately after the accounts are transmitted. 



These are some of the regulations, which will tend to show how 

 great is the authority still retained by the crown, or in reality by the 

 ministers, and how little discretionary power the Governor has. He 

 is required personally to superintend or authorize things of such small 

 concern that it almost approaches the ridiculous ; for instance, a wheel- 

 barrow cannot be mended without an order in writing attested by his 

 signature. Such an order may be necessary, but one would think that 

 other persons might be authorized and trusted to' perform such acts. 

 The colony is treated as though it were a den of rogues, and required 

 the constant supervision of the ministry at home. I was told that no 

 one could conceive the mass of despatches containing instructions that 

 a single year produced, and these are often found conflicting with those 

 that had gone before, and thus require a reference back to the Secre- 

 tary of State. The practical inconvenience is apparent, and it is noi 



