5.
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which will be actively under way in the latter part of this
year, are to be carried out with expedition, that the
architectural staff of the Public Works Department should
be strengthened and I accordingly seek your approval for
the immediate recruitment of two architects on the usual
three-year agreements, who would be supernumerary to
establishment until vacancies occur. Four vacancies are
in fact anticipated owing to retirements within the next
twelve months. If the additional works are approved I would
request that immediate steps be taken to recruit these men.
9. I anticipate that supplementary votes will be
needed for various other items of expenditure in 1939,
especially the relief of refugees and other emergency
expenses; but there will be savings on other items and I
do not anticipate that, apart from the present proposals,
total expenditure will exceed the approved estimate.
the proposals now submitted are approved the general revenue
balance will be reduced at 31st December, 1939, to
approximately $12,100,000, assuming that revenue fulfils
the approved estimate. Bearing in mind that that balance
will, as a result of the new accounting system referred to
in my second paragraph above, be more liquid than the former
surplus I do not regard it as unreasonably low. I should
hope, however, to be able to balance the budget for 1940
without calling on that reserve, if necessary imposing
extra taxation to avoid a deficit.
10.
If
I shall be glad to receive your decision on
these proposals at an early date: if possible, by telegram.
To save time I am communicating them informally to members
of the Finance Committee for consideration pending your
decision.
11.
The proposal to recruit architects to which my
eighth