I therefore caused a letter to be addressed to the Military Authorities explaining the above facts, and stating that there was no balance from which the sum requested by them could be paid.
A further letter was thereupon addressed to me by the Senior Officer in Command (in the absence of Major General Edwards) pointing out that there were certain current expenses in connection with the works in progress, the payment of which could not be postponed without stopping the works, and requesting payment of a sum of $2,000 to meet such requirements until the matter could be definitely settled.
6. Under the circumstances, I authorised the payment of $2,000.