CO882-(1-2) — Page 29

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And owing to the unusual movement of troops, a division, of the Ceylon Risses, being sept 19 Chips, the strength of the regiment increased, and the arrival of the European regiment from England, there was an extraordinary activity in the military department, occasion- ing an additional expenditure by the commis- sariat for barrack accommodation, travelling charges, provisions, &c., amounting to With Commissariat arrears of former poata paid

off in 1846

5,178

3,357

8.535

After deducting a decrease of expenditure by the Colonial Agent in London as compared with

1845

902

8.333

The whole increase is accounted for

Mr. Anstruther censures the expenditure an roads in this year as excessive, on the presump- tion, of course, that it was unnecessary; or if necessary, that it was conducted without due economy, and he says, that without “something to show for it," it must be ascribed to gross extravagance.

The most effectual reply to this constructive cen- sure is, a statement of the sums expended for roads and bridges in 1846

།། :།

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O. 882

1

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

£61,022

Of this sum the fixed establishment as settled by the Becretary of State in 1844-5, on the recommendation of Mr. Agstruther himself, including the Pioneers and other miscella- neous charges, was

$10,781

Leaving a balance expended on roads and bridges

of

50,941

And out of this sum the cost

+

Miles.

£

For the repair and upkeep of principal

roads

948

19,301

Ditto

second class roads

2001

4,579

Boads kept open and preserved from

deterioration

319

9,901

Repairs of milea

867+

96,781

Extensive improvements, drains, bridges,

&c., on

$25

91,574

New roads opened in 1846

58

1.886

1,2001

50,841

Showing that 1,260 miles of roads had been repaired and drained, and bridged where required,

at an expense of less than 501. a mile; and 88 miles of new roads had been opened for traffic, though not permanently completed, at an expense of less than 407, a mile.、

I

I must again call the attention of the Com- mittee to the great cost of repairing roads in-

Ceylon. It is not as in Europe an ocassional charge; in the climate of Ceylon it is an annual and unavoidable one.