3015
Sargent adds the following explanation: "At present several works of utility and advantage to the Colony are held in abeyance pending a decision as to defensive requirements; and I am constantly compelled to veto the creation of buildings on land embraced in the scheme of defence, while at the same time I am unable to give any assurance, or hope, that the scheme approaches its realization".
The fact is that the loss to the Colonial revenue by the reservation of lands on the chance of their being required hereafter for Works of Defense, (no definite plan having as yet been adopted by the Military Authorities), is estimated at considerably more than ten thousand pounds (£10,000) per annum.
It is, therefore, manifest that if a definite plan were adopted, and if the lands actually required for the carrying out of that plan were taken, while the remainder of the lands now reserved and kept waste were given back to the Civil Government for sale...