458
448
the original Estimate was reduced by
at least $25,000 in accordance with
my instructions. In other words in-
stead of a surplus of about $40,000
the transactions of the year will have
shown a deficit of over $70,000.
3.
I assume that the large in-
crease of Expenditure is partly at-
tributable to the outbreak of plague in
one cause
the Spring of this year; but that can
hardly have accounted for at increased
Papeauitups of $220,000, and I should
therefore be glad if you would furnish
furthe
me with full explanations of the ecuset
on the subject
-400904DLT SIIS JO
4.
It is fortunate that the de-
ficit on the year 1898 can apparently
be met out of the balence of the
Colony's assets on the 31st December
1897 which were stated in Mejor-General
Black's despatch No.63 of the 11th
March