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point of view of public health and of public convenience.
11.
The Budget for 1909 has been
Leas 33538
balanced, or rather partially balanced, by the applica-
-tion to the services of the year of the monies belonging
to the Widows' and Orphans' Pension Fund transferable
to Government on 1st. January. A precedent for such an
appropriation of capital funds exists in the case of the
Praya Reclamation Fund transferred to Government and in-
-cluded in current Revenue in 1906. It is more especially
necessary (as I fully explained in my speech when introduc-
-ing the Estimates) at the present time in order to avoid
the necessity of imposing fresh taxation at such an in-
-opportune time and of greater amount than would probably
be permanently required and finds some further justifica-
-tion in the fact that interest on railway construction
funds is being met out of current revenue. The small
remaining deficit of $72,170, if realised, may together
with the expenditure on the typhoon refuge during the
present year be regarded as payments on account of that
portion of the Colony's reserves which has been "earmarked"
for the purpose,
12.
Your Lordship's telegram of 14th.
September and Despatch Miscellaneous of 14th. August were
received