**
tert
309
the Military Authorities for other than defensive purposes.
So far as I am able to see, there seems no limit,under the
book account system now existing, to the amount of premia or
fictitious capitalised Crown Rent with which the Colony may
be credited in time to come, unless Military lands once, but
now no longer, required for defence purposes are placed at the
disposal of the Colonial Government and a periodical settle-
ment in cash made.
If this Government can rescue from such a sys-
tem the valuable piece of land now wanted for Military pur-
poses, a step in the right direction will have been taken.
19. As further emphasizing the distinction
which I have drawn between defensive lands and military lands
I would draw attention to the items in the Colonial Estimates
one of which is "Contribution towards Barrack Services", and
the other of which is Contribution towards Defence Works",
#
By defence works is understood works required to be provi-
ded for the mounting of armaments. Applying this, it seems an
irresistible conclusion that lands required for defensive
purposes are lands required to be set apart as sites for
forts carrying armaments. It is plain moreover that Barracks
and Defence Works are treated as separate matters, the former being erected for Military purposes the latter for defensive
purposes.
20. Should my argument concerning the distinc- tion between lands required for Military purposes, and lands required for defensive purposes not commend itself to Your
Excellency