***** Jate for the year 2683 (1890) not having been paid over to the military chest before the 3rd December last, it became necessary to apply to the Council for a vote of revote for the money. During the course of the debates in Finance Committee and in Council on this Revote, the whole question of the financial position of the Colony and its ability to bear the burden of this Expenditure was necessarily brought under consideration and the unofficial members came to the conclusion that they had acted unwisely in sanctioning the permanent charge on the revenue involved in the increased Salaries voted for the present year. As the Estimates for the year, appropriation ordinance, and their recommendations on the subject of Salaries, were under your Lordship's consideration, they moved in Council, with a view to obtain a reconsideration of the whole subject and asked His Excellency the Governor to telegraph to you to withhold your sanction for the present until they could submit their views and opinions on the subject.
Their motions in Council were overruled, a motion by Mr. Whitehead, and an amended motion by Mr. Keswick being rejected wholly by the official vote. His Excellency Sir J. William des Voeux refused, in a letter to them dated 21st April last, to which they beg to call your Lordship's serious attention, to communicate with your Lordship by wire informing you.