10. We thank Your Excellency for the attention which you have given to the circumstances of the so-called Blockade of Hongkong; and we shall be glad to assist in bringing about an equitable settlement of this difficult question.
11. We have received with gratification Your Excellency's statement in regard to the Sanitary Reforms which are now in progress; and we trust that the further measures necessary for the preservation of the Public Health will continue to occupy the earnest attention of the Government.
12. The want of house accommodation for the labouring classes of this com-
munity is a growing evil which we have watched with some alarm; and we shall be glad to co-operate with the efforts of the Government to alleviate the pressure
felt in that direction.
13. We cordially approve the steps proposed to be taken to enforce the fulfil- ment of building covenants in leaseholds, and we trust that any additional security of tenure which may be granted to the smaller class of tenants will operate bene- ficially in diminishing the evils of overcrowding.
14. The drainage of the Marsh within the Race Course in the Wong-nei Chung Valley will confer a boon upon the community by providing a much-needed place of Recreation, and will in our opinion at the same time prove of great advantage to the Public Health.
15. We learn with satisfaction the completion of the Break-water and Meteoro- 'logical Observatory, and the progress already made in such important and necessary Public Works as the Tai-tam Water Works; the Government Hospital; the Lunatic Asylum, and that the New Central School and the New Central Market will be
commenced forthwith.
16. We trust that the forcible representation made by Your Excellency to the proper Imperial Authorities of the sanitary and other advantages to be derived from the junction of the Eastern and Western Prayas, will be crowned with success.
17. We have observed with interest the activity with which your Excellency has, during the short period of your Government, acquired a personal acquaintance with our chief Public Institutions. We shall gladly second your efforts to raise the standard of public Education here, and to enable a certain number of our most promising youths to complete their professional studies in England. We regard, moreover, with satisfaction the continuance of the competitive system for entrance into the Civil Service of Hongkong, consonant as that system is alike with modern English, and with ancient Chinese custom.
18. We learn with pleasure the steady progress of the important work of afforestation, which, we hope will, here as elsewhere, influence favourably the climate,
and so benefit the public health.
19. We entirely concur in the steps taken to promote the efficiency of the Police, a matter of the utmost importance in a community circumstanced as is that of Hongkong.