CO129-424 - Governor Sir May - 1915 [9-10] — Page 470

I

465

interest due on the cost of railway construction.

18.

The increase of $54,000 under "Pensions* is

due to lower exchange and to additional pensions.

19.

In framing the Budget for the coming year I

have estimated for an appropriation from the accumulation of surplus balances of a sum of $473,764. This deficit is occasioned by the inclusion in the Estimates of two extraordinary items, namely, the War Expenditure (210,200), and the Expenses of Construction of the Kowloon-Canton Railway (8386,198). As I mentioned in my Budget statement the Estimates have been draw up with great care to meet the circumstances in which we find our-

-selves, and with due regard to economy.

20.

During the debate Fr. Hewett again criticized the form of the Balance Sheet of the Colony. This question was raised by him in 1911, and was summitted to you in Sir F. Lugard's Despatch No. 6 of the 3rd. January, 1912, to which Mr. Harcourt replied in his Despatch No. 78 of 26th. March, 1912. I am giving the matter my careful consideration and will deal with it in a separate Despatch.

21.

I shall be glad if you will be so good as to communicate your decision on these Estimates by telegraph.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient,

humble servant,

Arna

Governor,&c..

J

1249