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explained, and I have been in the hope that the necessity of further reference to so troublesome a matter would be unnecessary until Your Lordship had been able to come to some decision on the recommendation of the Executive Council transmitted in the Despatch referred to.
9. to and me. However, I feel it my duty to report a further case of carelessness on the part of my subordinates to which I must solicit Your Lordship's attention, inasmuch as not only has his conduct necessitated expenditure of public money, but it has needlessly entailed great pecuniary loss on a respectable resident in this Colony.
On the 5th January 1870, a Chinese resident applied to the Government for permission to rebuild a dilapidated Theatre, with a view to performances being held therein on the same terms as are insisted on in respect of the two Theatres already in occupation.
The Surveyor General was required to report on the plans submitted, and considerable delay ensued, the details of which I need not enter.
4. The objections raised by the Surveyor General to certain details were apparently welcomed.