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$26,000. Bring half the machinery amount which I was told in London the annual outlay for wages, repairs, and wear and tear of the Vessel's machinery.
12. In my Despatch 119 I represented on 14 April 1860 my reluctance to propose to the Council any vote for a Gunboat in the then state of the Colonial finances. Wavering since then, I have made up my mind to regard the hint as unproductive and having admitted the necessity for either abandoning public works or increasing taxation, I have decided on the latter measures to ensure sufficiency of funds for the maintenance of the Colony's share of a Gunboat. I have been more especially desirous of providing for that expenditure because the whole of the recent Legislation is calculated to embrace at once all the real difficulties alluded to by Mr Cardwell, and as I find the Community entirely with me on this subject.
And I may succeed in overcoming the difficulties. The necessity for a swift Gunboat is very apparent as the circuit of the Island at all seasons must be frequently made by Government employees in the Police and Harbor Master's Office, and the different Harbor Master's Stations must be repeatedly visited, whilst the arrest of Junks for disobedience of the Act will no doubt be often required. It is only unfortunate that I cannot commence with the aid of a well-found swift...