to prepare Supplementary Estimates shortly after the termination of the first half of
the year.
In Hongkong the rule has been not to frame them until the year is terminated and in fact
332/ should be sent forward. If the Ceylon system be adopted, I see no difficulty in
the returns required by Earl Granville, but if Supplementary Estimates are not till
The 1121 have to be prepared), as in the Straits, Crown Agents Accounts for the last Quarter of the year
have reached the Colony. Here the words Supplementary Estimates are hardly applicable. The Supplementary
Estimates Ordinance is rather a Bill of indemnity for the expenditure of money voted
when the receipts for them arises, then several might be required during the year and it would be hardly necessary to have them accompanied with so many documents. If the Houghton plan be
adhered to then, perhaps some such returns as those expended in a different mode from that shown in the
Sub-heads of the votes.
Until it is decided which of these systems is to be the one employed, it is impossible to decide what documents
may be most suitable. The returns accompanying the 1868 Supplementary Estimates which I forward
herewith are, I regret to say not as full or explicit as...