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ENGLISH HISTOEY.

[MARCH

previous year. Under English and Scotch Education was in- cluded, for the first time, provision for pensions to elementary school teachers, and a grant towards the National Physical Laboratory to be managed by the Eoyal Society. Class V., deal- ing with Foreign and Colonial Services, also showed a constant tendency to increase in proportion with our widened interests abroad. In 1897-8 the estimate for this class stood at 819,229Z. ; in 1898-9 it rose to 1,268,264*.; and now 1,458,840/. was required — the increase arising almost entirely on account of British Protectorates in East Africa and the requirements of "West Africa and the West Ijidies, Uganda alone taking 108,000*. and the Gold Coast 45,000*. On the other hand, the deficiency of Cyprus revenues had fallen from 33,000*. to 13,000*., in consequence of the improved financial condition of the island. On Class VI. (Non-Effective Services) the transfer of the charge for pauper lunatics (Ireland) to local funds caused a reduction of 143,653*. from this class ; but the rigid enforce- ment of the age limit, in nearly all the branches of the public service, had raised the charges for pensioners by 24,741*. The Miscellaneous Services included under Class VII. showed that the imperial exchequer had been called upon to contribute 6,500*. in connection with the acceleration of the Irish passenger train service and 4,000*. in respect of abolished Irish judgeships. The Civil Service Estimates, therefore, as compared with the previous year, stood as follows : —

Class.

1898-9.

1899-1900.

I.

11. III. IV.

V. VI.

Public Works and Buildings - Salaries of Public Departments

Law and Justice

Education, Science and Art ... Foreign and Colonial Services - - - Non-Effective Services - - - -

Total -

£ 1,936,061 2,180,366 3,760,207 11,964,681 1,263,264 711,551

£ 1,895,622 2,160,715 3,809,088 12,207,860 1,458,840 592,040

21,815,130

22,124,165

The Customs and Inland Eevenue Estimates showed a net increase of over three-quarters of a million — two-thirds on account of the Post Office, and one-third for the Telegraph Service. The agitation for an improved rate of pay, the purchase of sites and the cost of building absorbed the greater portion of the increased sum required for the Post Office ; but it was not stated how far the reduced rates of inland letter postage had benefited or diminished the revenue, and in like manner the cost to the public of the extended free delivery was not shown nor its action in stimulating a wider use of the telegraph system.

The estimated cost of the Eevenue Services, compared with that of the previous year, stood as follows :— Bigitiz.