CO129-301 - Governor Sir Blake - 1900 [9-12] — Page 287

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as no time will be lost in the preparation of details.

The surplus which is anticipated at the end of

the current financial year amounting to over $900,000 justi-

fies the expenditure on these works all of which are urgently

needed, and I trust that you will approve of all of them being undertaken next year.

I should be glad if you would convey your ap- proval to me by telegram so that no time may be lost in com- mencing the works at the beginning of the year.

I should mention also that the estimated re-

ceipts from Land sales during 1901 is a low one and that it

is almost certain that they will be largely exceeded.

3. No provision has been made in the Estimates

of expenditure for increase of salaries to subordinate officers

as I do not know how far the recommendations in that behalf will meet with your approval.

Nor has any provision been made for the cost

of the Interpretation scheme in so far as the salaries of the rank and file of Interpreters are concerned because it will probably not be possible to classify the Interpreters and al- locate the new scales of salaries to them till the Estimates

for 1902 are being prepared. But the important question of in- terpretation is engaging my attention and, if it can be arran- ged, I intend to take steps as soon as possible to carry out

a part at any rate of the recommendations of the Committee ap- pointed to enquire into Interpretation whose report was for-

warded with my despatch No.141 of the 3rd. April, 1900.

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in cicer