I observe that both the Appropriation Bills now under consideration have been framed on that assumption, I have to instruct you to submit free estimates to the Council on receipt of this despatch unless you have already done so on receipt of my dispatch No. 165 of the 8th of October.
I notice in the items of the account contained in your despatch No. 793 that you charge against the special fund expenses incurred in the maintenance of the Colonial Vessels: considering that the sanction which my predecessor gave was to the purchase of these vessels, which were to be manned by the water police, and that their maintenance is not likely, under the circumstances of the population of the Colony, to be at any time other than a permanent charge on its expenditure, I cannot allow these expenses to be charged upon what is a merely temporary Revenue; I wish them to be estimated by your Council as part of the Ordinary Colonial Expenditure.
I am, however, willing to increase from $30,000 to $50,000 the contribution, which I have allowed in my despatch No. 165, from the Special Fund in aid of the general expenses of the Colonial Police.
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