468
necessary however, to reduce this programme to the amount now stated in the Estimates, namely, $331,160. On reference to the amounts annually expended under the head of Public Works Extraordinary it has been ascertained that a sum of $362,000 is about all that can be satisfactorily disbursed by the Public Works Department during one year. But as a considerable excess of revenue over expenditure is anticipated this year, there will be no difficulty in providing extra funds in the event of its being found possible for the Director of Public Works to put in hand works for which provision has not been made in the Estimates.
It is estimated that the surplus for 1899 will be about $250,000.
(Initialed) J.H.S.Ly
Colonial Secretary.
20-9-99.