No. 21, Financial

I have the honor to transmit a printed copy of the Annual Estimates
for 1864, as voted by the Legislative Assembly.

2. You will observe that the Salaries for all the Officers contained
in the civil List proposed by Your Grace, in Your despatch of 15th
June 1864, have been struck out.

3. My Predecessor has already issued the necessary warrant
authorizing the Treasurer to pay the Salaries of these Officers, (at
the old rate) out of the Crown Revenues accruing in his hands, and I
have now to request Your Grace's Authority for the payment of these
Salaries at the increased rate laid down in your despatch above
adverted to.

4. The whole Staff of the Colonial Secretary's Office consists of
one clerk; and the
Governor is wholly without clerical assistance of any kind.
I have, under these circumstances, been compelled to employ a
Gentleman as my Private Secretary, and I would request your Graces
authority to pay him at the rate of £300 or £350. per annum out of
the Crown Revenues of the Colony. The latter sum, having regard to
the very high cost of living, is in my opinion, the minimum upon
which a gentleman can exist.

5. I will draw my own Salary from the same source till I receive
Your Graces instructions.

6. I may in conclusion add that judging from the Public feeling, and
recent proceedings of the Legislative Assembly, I entertain little
doubt that Your Grace's proposition in regard to the Civil List will
be finally accepted and the necessary Salaries voted.