It's claims on A may be found to stand on a different basis from those which we have previously urged. The proposed Public Library would be gratuitously thrown open for the use and benefit of the foreign community at large, being consequently deprived by its constitution of its very nature and means of providing any revenue to meet its expenses. The only public Institution in the Colony that we are acquainted with which stands in a precisely similar position is the new Public Garden above Government House. This scheme is now in course of realization at a considerable outlay from Colonial funds, while its maintenance will constitute a permanent charge upon the revenue. If the Colony's expenditure for this purpose has doubtless already received the sanction of the Secretary of State, and we could not therefore have anticipated that a small grant for the Library, identical in principle, would be judged inadmissible.
We have, &c.
(Signed) James Legge. [D] J. Macandrew.
(D) Frederick Stewart.
True Copies,
MARlexande
Acting Colonial Secretary,