will be proper to appropriate the ground in the manner proposed, but with the express understanding that the ground when levelled and prepared for use as a place of public resort for the recreation of the inhabitants, shall at all times be available to the Garrison of Victoria as a place for exercise, whenever it may be judged fitting that the Troops should be exercised on that ground, and with the further understanding that, if at any time hereafter it should be deemed expedient to erect a battery for the defence of Victoria, such battery is to be erected on the ground in such situation as the Royal Engineer Department shall consider fitting for the purpose.
I shall communicate an extract of this despatch for the information of the Master General and Board of Ordnance.
But as a somewhat material discrepancy exists between the statement of Lieutenant St. John, the Officer commanding the Engineer Department, and the Estimate of the Colonial Surveyor General, as to the expense of levelling the ground, I must request you to take the trouble to ascertain carefully what the actual expense may be, before I authorise you to proceed with the work.
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If, according to Lieutenant St...