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that he and I differ considerably as to the meaning of many words in the English language, and therefore fear that any attempt at explanation on my part would but lead to additional and irksome queries.
I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your Most Obedient Servant
(Signed) William Caine
Acting Surveyor General
Augst 19th September 1856
Captain Crafter, R.E.,
Acting Surveyor General
"I have the honor to acknowledge your letter No. 21 of this date, in which you refer to and finally decline to give me any information whatever as to how you have disposed of the materials of my Confiscated property.
This would seem to be sufficiently discouraging to any further queries on my part, but it is not, as I find, occasion to put the following further queries, though they should turn out as unproductive as the first, and even be exposed to your charge of being eccentric.
1stly. Are the materials in question deposited on the site of or being worked up in the construction of the new Central Police Station in Wellington Street? And being worked up in its construction. The Contract price of that new work is said by common report to be $15,000, which must be the full and fair market price of the work to be done. My materials being placed in the hands of your contractor ought to make a considerable difference either to him or to the public in the benefit of that contract, and as my object in ascertaining, or at worst finding that I cannot ascertain, how far the Colonial Chest has been eased and the public benefited at my expense, I take leave to put to you the following further queries.
2ndly. What sum of money or other consideration have you given to the Contractor for the materials of my late houses which he is now working up in the construction of the new Central Police Station? What has been the form of that consideration? Has it been fixed sums of money, and if so in what amount, been paid for the Materials, or has their appraised value been abated from the original Contract price of the new Government buildings? If so, what was the date when the value, if in money, was paid into the Colonial Treasury? If in abatement, what was the date when that abatement was indorsed on the original Contract, and when the same was officially audited.
3rdly. In what amount has your Department reimbursed Her Majesty's Government for the labor of its convicts employed in removing the materials in question to the site where they now lie?
4thly. Equally, and again, whether after disposing of the materials to the intent and purposes of the warrant, namely the abatement of the alleged nuisance and defraying all due charges to its abatement, whether in the shape of reimbursing Government for Convict labor or in any other shape, you do or do not hold any surplus proceeds at your disposal on demand.
I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your Most Obedient Servant
(Signed) N. Hudson
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