G
550 %
had been reported upon by General Black and General Gascoigne;
both were opposed to it on military grounds, and that His Excellency the Governor would not therefore feel justified in approving it at present.
22 The Committee have no desire to even appear to question General Gascoigne's opinion, but it is obvious that, for an Officer in his position to incur the responsibility, immediately upon his arrival in the Colony, of differing from his predecessor in office is hardly to be expected.
As nothing is said in this, the latest communication received from Government, regarding Dr. Ormsby's objections to the construction of the Mount Davis sections of the road, the Committee infer that His Excellency the Governor is prepared to overrule those objections which were chiefly grounded on the excessive cost of it as compared with the remaining sections.
From the evidence given by expert witnesses when the Scheme was under consideration, the Committee are disposed to think that Dr. Ormsby has over-estimated the cost and that if tenders were invited, it would be found practicable to construct the entire section with the funds in hand, which now amount to fully $100,000 and are earning interest at the rate of 5% until disbursed.