Part 27 (2/2)

Expenditure : 107,213/1/10 : 119,478/8/4 : 112,285/10/7 : 103,205/16/0 : 120,259/11/9 : 131,334/18/5

OBSERVATIONS

shi+ps now expected will greatly swell the items of Imports and Customs

This is exclusive of RE-exported articles, and the valuations are very moderate In round numbers, the Exports may be said to be over 400,000 pounds

Part of the increase of Custo to increase of duties on spirits, wines, and some other iteiven for so the balance as the a from increase of duties, it may be put at 12,000 pounds on the last year

It will be observed that for some time, until better seasons returned and ht extent to rely on the surplus found in the chest to make Revenue and Expenditure meet To have starved the Expenditure at that tiress of the colony, and the Legislative Council opposed several reductions that I thought ht have been effected

On the 30th Septes 5 pence in the chest, and soislature at their , beyond current revenue

40 I need hardly say that the commercial state of the colony is admittedly sound, and I am informed in a more prosperous condition than at any previous period of its existence Landed property, especially about Perth, has lately risen i and will reach the outlying districts Perth has lost its dilapidated appearance, and neat cottages and houses are springing up in all directions, and the saress to some extent is noticeable in Fremantle and elsewhere

41 I will not conclude this Report without recalling the success which attended the efforts made by the Government, to which ely contributed, to represent the products of Western Australia at the Sydney Exhibition of 1873 Much of this success was attributable to the exertions of Mr FP Barlee, Colonial Secretary, then representing at Sydney this colony in the intercolonial conference

In that conference, the first to which a representative of this colony was admitted, and which therefore marked an epoch in its political existence, Mr FP Barlee took a prominent part, ably upheld the trust I placed in him, and received a most marked and cordial reception from our colonists on his return

41 I have further to express ations to that officer for the assistance he has ever given me; were it not for his fearless and loyal support, for the confidence which is placed in hireatout my policy, it would have been iovernment most difficult to work, to have carried to a successful issue the trust that has been imposed upon me, and to have left this colony prosperous and self-reliant

42 Should your lordshi+p, considering the position in which I found Western Australia--the reduction of imperial expenditure it has been my duty to effect, the failure of the wheat crop for four successive seasons and consequent depression, the inexperience of a new Legislature, the absence of any propositions for the benefit of the colony from the opposition, the obstacles thrown at first in the way of all ood--should you, considering these things and the present state of the colony, be of opinion that the ad the last five years has not been unsatisfactory or unfruitful, I beg that you will award a due share of credit to the Colonial Secretary, who, as le-handed all parliaentlemen who are now, or have at various times been, members of my executive, and who have ever united to support islature who have steadily voted for all the ress of the colony, and whosethem as representatives on vacancies in every case where they have stood; to the elected iven islature, had it in their power entirely to have reversed my policy; and lastly, to the people of Western Australia, who on each election have increasedcolonists, myself an old colonist--put my reliance, a reliance which has not been disappointed

I have, etc,

(Signed) FRED A WELD,

Governor

The Earl of Carnarvon,

etc etc etc

THE END