+ to this question. The spirit of the Colonial Regulations from page 82 to 89 seems to me to be that Estimates need only be sent home for Works which are new and of considerable magnitude. I do not know whether the limit may be settled already by general precedent.
But otherwise, I should think that the Governor should be told that it is not necessary to send home beforehand detailed Estimates of small extent which are included in the bead that Mr. Ellicot. There can, I apprehend, be no doubt as to the desire of Gov. Bonham to practise economy and avoid the execution of unnecessary public works at Hong Kong; & if he gives his sanction for the construction of roads, or buildings of which the expense does not exceed £200 I should imagine that the work was indispensable.
But still as he asks for instructions as to the nature & amount & services in the Surveyor General's Dept discretion will not be called in question & that he should obtain the sanction of the Secretary previous to execution it may perhaps be advisable to take advantage of opportunity & lay down some rule to be followed, if in deed the rule in the Book of Colonial Regulations, P.82 can be amended with advantage & rendered more explicit.
The case of the road from Sookhumpoo to North Point has been communicated to their Treasury; the details are therefore known to that office notwithstanding that no positive approval of that work taking place has been received from the Queen.
W. Merivale.
Jan 22
The Colonial Estimates, of the general amount that will be required to be expended on Public Works.
7.78.22 Jany 29
The Earl Grey - Governor Bonham, 17 November, 1857 - 5 McIver's 12103 - Received appertaining to that office which may be the nature and account of Services applying for instructions relative to the Years 1848, 1849 and part of 1850 - and Surveyor General's Department in the a variety of services executed in the Requesting His Lordship's sanction to be considered necessary Lordship's sanction - to obtain His
In Hawes is haston bod Army Key 293
The Judge's suggestion on this day is an important one & the subject matter difficult.
I have detained the papers the longer because the rule as to be found in the Colonial Regulations which in this is with there. the rule limiting work which may be unditate without previous Sanction to £200. It is to be found in an Mr. Barrow's letter of 1826 which I annex, & is apparently referred to in the Appendix to the Colonial Regulation, although it is not contained that work.
Lieutenant #200 to continue