139
& illness.
The Able for H. Pennine, Auditor General, absent vacation leave.
on
"His Excellency states that a practice exists in this Colony of employing an Auctioneer for the sale of Crown Lands, and allowing him a Commission of one per cent on the premiums realised at the Sale, for simply putting the lots to public competition, whilst the whole work of surveying the ground, classifying the Land, preparing Plans, and making Regulations for the Sale, devolves upon the Surveyor General. His Excellency therefore thinks that the rule which prevails in the Australian Colonies, and as he is credibly informed, in Honduras, should be adopted here, by entrusting the conduct of future Land Sales to the Surveyor General, who for such service might be allowed a remuneration in the shape of Commission on the premiums realised at such Sales.
"His Excellency further states that having judged it highly necessary to prevent any officers in the Surveyor General's department from engaging