350
31st. December, 1905, would give a balance of Assets on 31st. December, 1906, of $784,573. I now anticipate, however, that this balance will be greatly reduced by the need for large disbursements during the current year in connection with the recent typhoon, concerning which I have reported to Your Lordship on a despatch of even date. A sum which may amount to $125,000 will be required for repair of damages and for special services connected with the storm while the Government contribution to the Relief Fund will probably be nearly $200,000.
12.
There are two other matters which were discussed in the meeting of Council held on 27th. September to which I may here briefly refer. The Hon. Mr. Hewett in the course of some remarks on the subject suggested that I should appoint a small Committee to consider the whole question of the salaries of Civil Servants. I informed the Council that I was not prepared to adopt this suggestion but that I would place the Hon. Member's remarks before Your Lordship. The other was the question of the early provision of a second typhoon shelter. I have referred to this in my despatch on the recent typhoon and shall later on address Your Lordship again on the subject.
13.
The estimates have been prepared with much thoughtful care by Mr. I. Sercombe Smith, Acting Colonial Secretary assisted by Mr. N. Crofton, Chief Clerk in the Colonial Secretary's Office to whose interest in them are due some improvements in form.