146
17.
The other repairs, stated to require only two months, are however of a character not to be deferred, as the legs of the chairs actually penetrate at times the floors of the reception Rooms specified by Mr Wilson, and it is obvious that to permit the continued presence of white Ants would lead to a rapidly increasing destruction of the wood, still comparatively sound in the dining and drawing Rooms. I shall, therefore, if Executive Council agrees to the expediency of that course, undertake to give up Government House to Mr Wilson from the 15th September to the 15th November, for the purpose of getting the Roof made water-tight, for at least 18 months, and also for the purpose of carrying out the repairs specified in Estimates of Mr Wilson, No 3 and 4.
I shall likewise endeavour, though I had not previously intended to do so, to avail Myself of the permission which I held to leave the Colony for six weeks, if Public business permits, or if necessary, shall hire a temporary residence here, but Mr Wilson