No. 51

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No 96 of the
9th of February transmitting a Memorandum by Colonel Moody upon various subjects connected with his Department and the employment of the Detachment of Royal Engineers.

I have no doubt that the appointments recommended by Colonel Moody
would prove valuable additions to the force under his command; but I am
unable to sanction any increase in the expenditure of Colonel Moody's
Department which might add to the sum which will have to be voted by
Parliament as an advance for this service, and unless therefore you can
assure me that this additional expense will be defrayed from the
revenues of the Colony, I regret that I shall be compelled to withhold
my sanction from the proposed appointments.