was when the building erected in 1852, and if no soft timber had been employed, there would probably be no necessity for the present suggested repairs during the next fifty years. Government House is a very spacious and handsome building, well adapted to the climate. It has cost a large sum of money and its preservation is the duty of the Executive, whilst it must also be conceded, that the most complete and economical mode of effecting the necessary repairs would be to have them all conducted simultaneously, if possible.
I fear, however, that this is out of the question and, after considering the subject with my Executive Council, I have agreed to take the responsibility of sanctioning the necessary repairs, including the renewal and painting of woodwork, and the laying of sound timber in place of the soft wood destroyed by the white Ant, and also of transmitting through Your Grace a requisition for the lead necessary for constructing the proposed Lead gutters of the roof at some future time, when the Horse can be spared sufficiently long for