CO129-265 - Public Offices & Others - 1894 — Page 555

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1892, the valuation of the furniture on which 5% was due, was returned at $5324, I asked that copies of the two inventories might be furnished to me. In reply a copy

valne was sent me

of the inventory showing the smaller

with a minute to the effect that there was no old list but a precis of the old valuation was forwarded (copy enclosed)

In allowing the list to be sent to me, His Excellency desired that it should be pointed out to me that formerly

he had been paying on some of the public furniture.

&C.1

On looking into the inventory on which it had been decided that His Excellency should pay interest,

I found it included the boudoir, one bedroom with dressing

room, bathrooms, &c, attached, and a reasonable quantity

of table and bed linen, crockery, cutlery, glass, kitchen

utensils,

at Government House and apparently the

whole of the furniture in use at "Craigieburn", I raised

the question as to whether persentage should not be paid

on the furniture in the schoolroom and in the bedrooms

occupied by the children and staff, and is Excellency

has given a decision that it should not be charged on the

furniture in the rooms occupied by the staff.

Colonial Office Regulation No 284 exempts

the furniture in the "Offices" used by the Private Secretay

and Aide-de-Camp, but not that in the bedrooms, and I have

the honour to ask for your instructions as to whether I am

to take any further action in the matter.

The regulation is not very clearly worded

and it might save trouble in the future, not only as

regards Hong Kong, but also as regards other Colonies, if

the Secretary of State would lay down more clearly on what

furniture the percentage should be charged.

I have &c., (signed) Hilgrove C.Nicolle.