Hop: Col: Sec:
Enclosure 2.
C.O.
16406 507
9 MAY 04
1.
I have carefully considered this despatch to meet the objections raised by the Secretary of State; the following seems to me to be an alternative scheme which would work and which has the advantages of requiring no fresh legislation and of being probably more economical.
Let the Secretary of State lay it down as a standing instruction that an annual sum of not less than say $400,000 is to be voted on the Estimates for the next 25 years to be placed to the credit of a separate account in the Treasury, to be called an Improvement Fund, for the purpose of resuming and laying out fresh insanitary areas in Victoria.
2.
Let an Advisory Board, to be called the Improvement Board, be appointed by the Governor to advise Government on all matters in connection with such resumptions and improvements and to consider schemes which may be prepared by the Director of Public Works or may be submitted from outside sources.
The Executive Engineer of the Public Works Department who is being obtained for resumption and Building Ordinance Work to assist the Board in preparing its recommendations.
The Board to consist of the Colonial Secretary; Treasurer; Director of Public Works; Principal Civil Medical Officer; with three Unofficial Members to be nominated by the Governor and to hold office for a term of 6 years.
Circulate for the consideration of the Executive Council.
F.S.V.
2/8/04