Departments, till they have been reorganised by those who alone are qualified to judge, to be brought nearly to as limited a scale as is consistent with the proper working of a Colony far removed from home, inimical to health, and liable to be placed at any time in a position when the want of means of efficient administrations would result in inconvenience, and serious embarrassment perhaps.
To conclude, I would strongly recommend that no alteration be now made in the Land Office, save as regards the minor points detailed in the letter of the Committee to which this minute is attached; and I would fain hope that under the ordinary supervision of Government, which can have no other object than the promotion of the interests entrusted to its care, the natural course of events may improve by degrees the commercial health of the Colony.
Any violent or experimental measures, the benefits to result from which are at best problematical.
(Signed)
18th May, 1850
True Copy?
W. P. Mercer
Colonial Secretary.
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