4. You will remember that the Surveyor General last year strongly advocated the purchase of Cement locally from the hands of Messrs. White, but my predecessor, the Secretary of State, was unable to sanction that course for the reasons given in his despatch No. 52 of the 14th of July 1885. Although there reasons remain unanswered & uncontroverted, W. Price now again (in his letter enclosed in your despatch under acknowledgment) advocates the purchase of Cement from Messrs. Whites and compares the results obtained with that Cement with those given under Messrs. Robins' contract.
As at the date of Mr. Price's letter no White's Cement for the Water Works had been shipped from the Agents, I presume that the material of this brand which the Surveyor General had in store was purchased locally before the receipt of Lord Stanley's despatch of 26th August intimating forbidding the local purchase of Cement. I request to be informed accordingly.
DRAFT.
MINUTE.
Mr. Wingfield.
Mr. Bramston.
Mr. Meade.
Sir R. Herbert.
Lord Dunraven.
Mr. Stanhope.