CO129-349 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [10-12] — Page 20

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point of view of public health and of public convenience.

11.

The Budget for 1909 has been

Leas 33538

balanced, or rather partially balanced, by the applica-

-tion to the services of the year of the monies belonging

to the Widows' and Orphans' Pension Fund transferable

to Government on 1st. January. A precedent for such an

appropriation of capital funds exists in the case of the

Praya Reclamation Fund transferred to Government and in-

-cluded in current Revenue in 1906. It is more especially

necessary (as I fully explained in my speech when introduc-

-ing the Estimates) at the present time in order to avoid

the necessity of imposing fresh taxation at such an in-

-opportune time and of greater amount than would probably

be permanently required and finds some further justifica-

-tion in the fact that interest on railway construction

funds is being met out of current revenue. The small

remaining deficit of $72,170, if realised, may together

with the expenditure on the typhoon refuge during the

present year be regarded as payments on account of that

portion of the Colony's reserves which has been "earmarked"

for the purpose,

12.

Your Lordship's telegram of 14th.

September and Despatch Miscellaneous of 14th. August were

received