It is observed that the amount of the fee, 1% (or $502 as known), fixed, represents nearly 70% of the capital invested, and that the finances of the colony, which are, according to the Governor's latest utterance, in a specially flourishing condition, do not demand the imposition of so serious a tax on a concern, which already bears its due share of the public burdens. It may be here noted that the annual ground rent for the Distillery premises is $763.62 per annum and that the annual police, lighting, and water rates amount to $300.
It is very doubtful whether the heavy tax will allow operations at the Distillery to be carried on under the burden of such a tax.
For the foregoing reasons, which might be easily multiplied, we respectfully submit that the Governor has no grounds of justice, policy, or public necessity to support his decision; and, if our case ended there, we think we should have made out one sufficiently strong to demand your Lordship's interference.
But we feel bound, in the interests of the Company, to take a step further, and we venture to represent to your Lordship...