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(io sAE aporn "ores M Ne mAE CCC % » h e in vile en inncommrntnrint Annual Stock--taking of the Province. :A MBR HARCOURT'S BUDGET Y Ontario's Finances in 2 Healthy Condition. ( A SURPLUS OF $4,782,580. This Year's Receipts Estimat-- ed at $3,218,872. Analysis of Revenue and Expenditure--} An Eloquent Tribute to Sir Oliver Mowat--A Quarter Century's Progress Legislative Chamber, Feb. 18. With ordinary treatment the finan-- cial statement of the Province of On-- M tario would prove neither interesting nor entertaining to the listerer, how-- ever gratifying its substance might be to those who commend honest and economical administration, but in the hands of the Provincial Treasurer this afternoon it became a clear, concise and deeply interesting summary of the financial situation of the Province. The Treasurer showed that without stinting or starving any of the branches of the public service the most rigid economy had been ohserved by the Government. He estimated the re-- ceipts for 1897 at $3,215,372, and present-- | ed a surplus, after deducting liabilities presently payable, of $4,782,580. THE BUDGET. Upon rising Mr. Harcourt was loudly applauded. He said :-- The topic upon which I am to address the House this afternoon is not in it--> self a fascinating one. If my aim were merely to interest or to hold the atten-- | tion of an audience for an hour or-- . more it is perhaps the very last sub-- | jeet I would select.« And yet to hon. / members the question 'of our finances, s the. exact condition of our balarce ; sheet, everything in fact relating to | | our expenditures and receipts, our an-- |. nual stock--taking in a word,. will | . prove of perennial interest and always | command closest attention. It is tE.le E: that we have 'no very flexible | . sources of revenue capable at times ofi s