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The CHAIRMAN said with regard to Victoria College, the estimated sum for which had been increased from $50,000 to $51,216, the $50,000 was only a vote on account, and that $51,216 re- presented the amount expended.
Hon. J. BELL-IRVING-Is it finished yet? The CHAIRMAN-No, but I think the next distribution of prizes before Chinese new year will take place in the new building.
Hon. J. BELL-IRVING-That was said thres years ago.
The CHAIRMAN-Yes, but we are pushing on so that the Governor may not say the same thing again. The work was, as you know, delayed by the sinking of the Ulysses in the Red Sea. And then came a letter from the Crown Agents that some of the iron work had been condemned by the examiner. However, everything is done to push on the work, and I do not think the Gover- nor of the Colony will repeat again that--" This is the last time the prizes will be distributed here."
With regard to Military Defence works, the CHAIRMAN said that the sum voted for this was $250,000 and the sum expended was $258,000. This simply meant that the work had been push- ed on faster than was expected. The sum voted was $116,000, and they were carefully watching to see that it was not exceeded.
Hon. B. LAYTON asked how long these works had been going on.
The CHAIRMAN said for some years now. Hon. B. LAYTON-I take it, then, they are nearly finished,
Hon. J. BELL-IRVING-Yes, und beginning to tumble down again.
The Committee then recommended that the Supplementary Estimates ho passed.