CO129-130 - Sir MacDonnell - 1868 [4-5] — Page 367

363

why Mr Mercer acting Governor in 1865 commenced paying quarterly instalments

was bec

a

because the bolony had at that time large unemployed Balance with the brown Agents, and because Mr Mercer thought that the true state of the bolonial Treasury would be better represented by

radual payments than by disbursing &

flange

an item at

one time.

A sum of £5000 only having remained

unpaid at the end

of 1866 and the H

being ever due till

Contribution for 1867 not being

the 1st of January of interest has

yet

last no

great amount

in working

become chargeable

The Stamp Taxe being

now ww

jorder a sum of £5000 has been remitted

of this year's contribution, and

account of this

entire

#

there seems reason to hope that the

sum of £20,000 charged for the Military Expenses of 1868 may

be met during the year.

Signed), W. H. Ronnie

Audite General.

Auditor General's Office.

Hongthing, 11 Maay, 1865.

(

True Copy)

Auto

1. Gardiner

bolonial Senetary.