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2.
K received. Information will "probably be forwarded on twentieth instant".
Owing to the weak state of the Survey Department, it has been with much difficulty prosecuted the qualifications, could not take in hand so large and so important a work.
3.
Time has not, of course, allowed of my being placed in possession of Your Lordship's views on this subject, and for that reason I am not aware of what is being done in order to carry out the object of this Government.
The Acting Surveyor General has collected the details called for by 4 Papers and 5 Plans. I may here add that in applying for the aid of some professional Gentleman, who had made the question of Water Supply a special study, I had in view the fact that, except to the detriment of the Public Service generally, the staff of the Survey Department, even if they were capable, could not take on such a task.
They, therefore, may be excused if I urge again the desirability of sending out either someone capable of advising what ought to be done to obtain a sufficient Water Supply, or someone who possesses from