Administrative Expenses compounds in the Estimates do not differ much from those which had been sanctioned for the previous Year, so far as to marke objection to them.
But at the same time it is to state that as the estimated general Expenditure of this Government of Hong Kong, exclusive of Public Works, does not exceed the estimated Revenue by more than £13,688, and as the Governor states that a small portion of the proposed Expenditures for Works is for such as have been sanctioned and are in progress, it does not appear to My Lords, adhering to the Caution the Governor has received only to proceed with such Works as the Resources at his disposal may afford the means of carrying them out, that it will be necessary that the Grant to be proposed to Parliament for the Colonial Service at Hong Kong for the Year 1849-50 should exceed £20,000. And My Lords would at the same time suggest that notwithstanding the Estimate submitted by the Governor, in regards to the departmental Charges, is not objected to, he should be desired to institute a careful Revision of the Departmental Establishments with reference to the duties found to devolve on them under the Arrangements of the Local Government and Service have become definitively settled, in order that any practicable Saving in this Branch of the Expenditure may be appropriated to the prosecution of the Works most required.
I am further to express that My Lords defer any further observations respecting that part of the Governor...
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