land has been re-let should not be defrayed from current balances.
4.
I do not gather from the present Estimates what expenditure is proposed to be charged to the Water Account, the proceeds of which must be devoted to expenditure connected with the Water supply and kindred purposes.
I should be glad to receive information on this point and at the same time to be furnished with copies of the annual statements of the Water Account for 1892 and for 1894; the statement in 1893 was published in the Hong Kong Gazette of 1 December last, but no corresponding statement for 1894 appears to have been published.
5. I approve generally the Estimates of Expenditure which accompany your despatch under acknowledgement. I have already, in my telegram of the 14th instant, and in my despatch no. 727 of the 27th instant, sanctioned the grant of exchange compensation on the same conditions.
DRAFT MINUTE.
Mr. Fairfield.
Mr. Wingfield.
Mr. Brumston.
Mr. Meade.
Mr. Buxton.
Marquess of Ripon.