CO129-568-4 Estimates 1939 8-10-1938 - 6-7-1939 — Page 42

5.

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which will be actively under way in the latter part of this

year, are to be carried out with expedition, that the

architectural staff of the Public Works Department should

be strengthened and I accordingly seek your approval for

the immediate recruitment of two architects on the usual

three-year agreements, who would be supernumerary to

establishment until vacancies occur. Four vacancies are

in fact anticipated owing to retirements within the next

twelve months. If the additional works are approved I would

request that immediate steps be taken to recruit these men.

9. I anticipate that supplementary votes will be

needed for various other items of expenditure in 1939,

especially the relief of refugees and other emergency

expenses; but there will be savings on other items and I

do not anticipate that, apart from the present proposals,

total expenditure will exceed the approved estimate.

the proposals now submitted are approved the general revenue

balance will be reduced at 31st December, 1939, to

approximately $12,100,000, assuming that revenue fulfils

the approved estimate. Bearing in mind that that balance

will, as a result of the new accounting system referred to

in my second paragraph above, be more liquid than the former

surplus I do not regard it as unreasonably low. I should

hope, however, to be able to balance the budget for 1940

without calling on that reserve, if necessary imposing

extra taxation to avoid a deficit.

10.

If

I shall be glad to receive your decision on

these proposals at an early date: if possible, by telegram.

To save time I am communicating them informally to members

of the Finance Committee for consideration pending your

decision.

11.

The proposal to recruit architects to which my

eighth