192 TiMEHRI. 



The annexed Government communication was read : — 



Government Secretary's Office. 



Georgetown, Demerara, 24th January, 1896. 

 Sir, — I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 

 the 31st of December last, asking that a sum of $500 for grant-in-aid 

 to the Horticultural Exhibition, be placed on the Estimates for the year 

 1896-97. 



In reply I am desired by the Acting Governor to say that it is neces- 

 sary that the Estimates should be cut down as much as possible, and 

 whenever possible, and therefore the grant must, much to His Excel- 

 lency's regret, be omitted therefrom.— I have the honour, &c., 



FRANCIS VILLIERS. 

 The Honorary Secretary 



Royal Agricultural and Commercial Society. 



The President said that the Government regretted 

 their inability to put the grant on the Estimate in view 

 of the great need for economy. 



Capt. A. Duncan suggested that the amount might be 

 raised by subscription, and Mr. Geo. Garnett thought it 

 could be done by guarantee. 



The Secretary read a letter from the President, offer- 

 ing to subscribe $50 if nine others would do the same, 

 or $25 if 19 others gave equal amounts. 



Mr. Luke M. Hill thought that the results of the Shows 

 were so satisfactory that the vote should have been 

 made an annual one. Similar grants were made in the 

 Islands. 



Mr. Kirke mentioned that the matter might be re- 

 considered in the Combined Court, as one of the mem- 

 bers had given notice to that effect. 



Mr. Bellairs spoke of reducing the expenses by 

 giving certificates instead of money prizes. 



The President said that in any case he hoped that the 

 Show would be continued. 



