The War Department (for £900 per annum) and not erect additional Public Offices until there was necessity for so doing. The Major General Commanding will, I understand, by this Mail recommend to the War Office that, with the approval of Your Lordship, the property known as Lot ... be taken by the Colonial Government at the price mentioned. It would be a very awkward position to have to go into the market and bid for it, and it is so plain that the land will be required by the Government that persons would readily give more than the actual value in expectation of realising a still greater sum when the land was wanted for public purposes. Further, the Colony has some claim to be dealt with liberally in this matter. Since 1889 the local Treasury has suffered to the extent of the value of its Crown Rents which, at compound interest, would amount to more than $10,000, and since 1860 it has lost the benefits which would otherwise have accrued from the 2nd reclamation.
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