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year would be requisite. I also desired to enclose a copy of the reply, instructing the Governor that in no case must he reckon upon any aid beyond the amount of the actual Grant, and that he should therefore endeavour to bring the Expenditure within the amount of the available resources by the reduction or postponement of such Public Works as may admit of it.
2. The information received from Governor Bonham suggests two Questions, the one as to the grounds on which the Estimate submitted to Parliament this year was calculated, the other as to the deficiency which these Reports show to have accrued in the Finances of Hong Kong several years ago, and which have never yet been adjusted.
3. On the former point, I am desired to observe that by Despatch No. 104 of the 24th of September 1847, a Copy of which is annexed, the late Governor of Hong Kong furnished his Estimate of the probable Revenue and probable demands of the approaching Financial Year. The estimated amount of the ordinary Expenditure was adopted from his statement.