Confidential

With reference to the motion made by Dr. Helmcken in the
Legislative Council to obtain the reduction of the Salaries of those
Officers guaranteed by the "Crown Officers Salaries Act 1863" which
forms the subject of your Despatch No. 25 of the 3rd March and of my
reply No. 34 of this day's date I have to request you to consider
carefully and to report to me whether it would not be advisable either
to reduce the salaries of future holders of the Offices in question or
to abolish some of those Offices, in case a proposal to that effect
should hereafter be carried in the Council.