Colonial Despatches

I have to acknowledge your Despatch for the ensuing year No. 28 dated 25th March last, submitting a supplementary Appropriation Ordinance No. 2, of 1870 passed by the Legislative Council and yourself for the [service] of the years 1868 and 1869.

2. Her Majesty's Governmentwill will raise no question as to the expenditure provided for in this Ordinance. But I have to point out to you that this mode of reporting Supplementary Expenditure for sanction vizt by the mere submission of a Supplementary Appropriation Ordinance, unaccompanied by any information as to the total sum to which the expenditure has been brought for the year and total Revenue to meet such expenditure isaltogether altogether defective. I refer you to the printed Despatch from the Duke of Buckingham to the Straits Settlements, No. 243, dated the 27th November 1868 enclosed for your guidance in the Despatch from the same Minister, No. 105 dated the 7th December 1868, and I have to request that on future occasions you will submit with Supplementary Appropriation Ordinances the various particulars of information required by that Document to accompany such Ordinances.

3. You express yourself in your present Despatch as being in some doubt as to the proper interpretation of the standing Treasury Instructions, under which these supplementary Ordinances are framed. I annex for your assistance on this subject, copy of a recent report of the Auditor General of the Straits Settlements. which contain a correct exposition of the principles and objects of the instructions referred to.

4. I have to convey to you, and you will publishin in the usual and most authentic manner Her Majesty's confirmation and allowance of the Ordinance, No. 2 of 1870, entitled as follows: An Ordinance granting a supplemental supply of Two hundred and one thousand five hundred and eighty-five dollars and four cents, out of the General Revenue of British Columbia and its Dependencies for the contingent Service of the year 1868-69 respectively.