portsace; but that does not touch the general principle that in the estimates laid before us now we only feel justified in including the amount of money which will be covered by the estimated revenue for the year. I think honourable members will understand what I mean. I am anxious to go on with these works, and as soon as the money is actually in our hands I mean to ask for authority to go on with them and to lay supplemental estimates before you, as has been done from time to time.
As regards the Law Courts, I think I mentioned in my opening speech to the Council that the Law Courts blocked the way for the Post Office, and in broad lines that is quite true, if you are to have a new Post Office built on the present site, a portion of which is occupied by the Law Courts, you cannot proceed to build that Post Office on its present site until you have made some arrangement for the accommodation of the Post Office during the building of the new premises.
However, it is quite possible, I think, that there may be some arrangement made by which the Post Office might be improved a little, because I do think that in its present condition it is almost impossible to carry on the work of the colony. It is a discredit to the colony and it is impossible for the Postmaster to do his work in it properly. I have been considering the question with the Colonial Secretary, and I shall be very glad if any honourable member can make any suggestion which may possibly enable us to tide over the time during which the Law Courts will be building.
I may say that the plans for the new Law Courts arrived by the last mail and they are now on the table, and I invite honourable gentlemen to look at them. I think they are sufficiently advanced to enable us to begin the foundations early next year. The Director of Public Works thinks it can be done. It will take over twelve months to get these foundations properly constructed. By the end of that time the details of the plans will be fully made out and we shall be able to go on with the work.
I thought it was as well that you should know that in this matter I am entirely with you. I shall forward the memorandum to the Secretary of State.
The motion was carried.
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The Expenditure
portsace; but that does not touch the general principle that in the estimates laid before us now we only feel justified in including the amount of money which will be covered by the estimated revenue for the year. I think he . ourable members will understand what I mean. I am anxious to go on with these works, and as soon as the money is actually in our hands I mean to ask for authority to go on with them and to lay supplemental estimates before you, rs has been done from time to time. As re- gards the Law Courts. I think I mentioned ir, my opening speech to the Council that the Law Courts blocked the way for the Post Office, and in broad lines that is quite true, if you are to have a new Post Office built on the present site a portion of which is oooupied by the Law Courts you cannot proceed to build that Post Offer on its present site until you have made some arrangement for the accommodation of the Post Offes during the building of the new premises. However, it is quite possible, I think, that there may be some arrangement made by which the Post Office might be improved a little, because I do think that in its prosent eondition it is simost impossible to carry on the It is a discredit work of the colony is it. to the solony and it is impossible for the Postmaster to do his work in it properly. I have been considering the question with the Co- lonial Secretary, and I shall be very glad if any hon, member can make any suggestion which may possibly szable us to tide over the time during which the Law Courts will be building. I may say that the plans for the new Law Courts ar rived by the last mail and they are now on the table, sud I invite honourable gentlemen to look at them. I think they are sufficiently ad- vanced to enable ne to begin the foundations early next year. The Director of Public Works thinks it can be done. It will take over twelve months to get these foundations pro. perly construsted. By the sad of that time the details of the plans will be fully
and
abla made. out
we shall be go on with the work. I thought it was as well that you should know that in this matter I am entirely with you. I shall forward the memo- randum to the Secretary of State.
The motion was carried.
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The Expenditure
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