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term of service at this station will not expire until October next year! at such remuneration as has been generally given hitherto to Officers of the Royal Engineers who have been employed in the service of the colony.
11.
Should Your Lordship come to an early conclusion on this subject, I would ask that it be communicated to this Government by Telegraph so that advantage may be taken of the coming cold season, which is the best for building operations. If the work can be commenced early in November, the Observatory would be ready for work by next Autumn. The purchase of instruments and the appointment of a staff will form the subject of a future despatch when the building is well in hand.
12.
In conclusion, I must state that I do not agree with Major Palmer in the large staff which he recommends for the Observatory, and with the exception of that of the Director, I consider the salaries fixed at too high a figure. Eight thousand dollars a year should, in my opinion, cover all the working expenses of an establishment of this size.