602
the Jubilee Committee at the same time, so that they may be
7
able to take any objections which may occur to them.
It seems better in fact to thrash out the matter thoroughly in the first instance with the Committee and to consider carefully any objections which they may raise to the course which I have proposed.
It only now remains for me to answer briefly
the questions (a) (b) and (c) put by the Colonial Secretary
in his minute of the 20th ultimo.
(a) I do not think that it would be proper
for the Government to dissolve the Committee summarily, because
I think that the Government has allowed the Committee to act
and proceed in a manner beyond the liberal terms of the Government Notification, and has acquiesced in the fund being kept
and invested under their control.
(b) One cannot say that there is absolutely no
ambiguity whatever in the 3rd Resolution, but there can be no doubt that the interpretation of it which is suggested in the Acting Colonial Secretary's Minute of the 11th January, 1899, is not such an interpretation as any reasonable man would adopt, and I could not, therefore, advise the Government to rely upon
any such interpretation.
(c) My answer to (c) is: No.
In conclusion, and as further emphasizing my
view that persons should be allowed a refund of their subscriptions to the Road if they desire to have a refund in consequence