Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1899 American Edition.djvu/570

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226

THE BRITISH EMPIRE : — CANADA

which is also a colonial court of admiralty, with powers as provided in the Imperial "Colonial Courts of Admiralty Act, 1890." There is a Superior Court in each province ; county courts, with limited jurisdiction, in most of the provinces ; all the judges in these courts being appointed by the Governor- General. Police magistrates and justices of the peace are appointed by the Provincial Governments.

In 1897, 8,027 persons were charged with indictable offences ; of these 5,721 were convicted, 4 being sentenced to death, 609 sent to the peniten- tiary, and the rest sentenced to various terms of imprisonment ; and 32,257 were summarily convicted, 27,147 of these with the option of a fine.

Finance.

The financial accounts of the Dominion of Canada are made up under three different headings — namely, first, ' Consolidated Fund,' comprising the general sources of revenue and branches of expenditure ; secondly,

  • Loans ' in revenue, and 'Redemption' with 'Premiums and Discounts 'in

expenditure; and thirdly, 'Open accounts.' The headings 'Loans' and ' Redemption ' include the deposits in and withdrawals from the Post Office and Government Savings Banks, the amount on deposit forming part of the floating or unfunded debt ot the country. Under the head of 'Open Accounts ' are included investments, trust funds. Province accounts, and expenditure on capital account on public works.

The revenue and expenditure, Consolidated Fund, for five fiscal years ending June 30, have been : —

Year

Revenue

Expenditure

Dollars

Dollars

1894

36,374,693

37,585,026

1895

33,978,129

38,132,005

1896

36,618,591

36,949,142

1897

37,829,778

38,349,760

1898

40,555,238

38,832,526

The total actual receipts and expenditure, under these three divisions, were as follows in the financial year ending June 30, 1898 : —

Receipts.

Consolidated Fund

Loans .

Open Accounts .

Dollars 40,555,238 10,920,677 88,219,940

139,695,855

Expenditure.

Consolidated Fund Redemption Open Accounts .

Dollars

38,832,526

5,111,970

95,751,359

139,695,855

The actual sources of revenue and branches of expenditure comprised under the division called Consolidated Fund were as follows iu the financial year, ending June 30, 1898 : —