{
283
Railway is not likely to be remunerative for many years and
heavy annual expenditure has to be increased in the
redemption of Subsidiary Coin, while the recipts from
Liquor duties are not realising expectations, trade is bad,
there is little demand for land, and the revenue from
Opium has diminished and is likely to still further
diminish.
It is absolutely necessary there-
:
-fore that the strictest economy should be observed in
the administration and the Executive Council felt com-
-pelled to advise me that unless the Colony is guaranteed
against all loss on maintaining the Agencies the latter
should be closed as from the lat. of January next. I am
#trongly of the same opinion myself and I have reason to
believe that Sir F. D. Lugard shares the same view.
8.
For the same reasons I am strongly
of opinion that this Government should impose a charge of
10 cents per ounce on postal matter sent by the Siberian
route, and I would ask Your Lordship's sanction to make
the necessary arrangements accordingly.
I have the honour to be, My Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient,
humble servant,
默
MILK
Officer Administering the Govern-
-rent.
t