163
No. 86
1886.
HONGKONG.
DESPATCH RESPECTING THE WITHDRAWAL OF ECCLESIASTICAL
GRANTS IN HONGKONG.
Presented to the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government,
on the 27th August, 1886.
The Right Honourable Earl Granville, K.G., to the Officer Administering the Government of Hongkong.
(Copy)
HONGKONG.
No. 90.
SIR,
DOWNING STREET,
2nd July, 1886.
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 93, of the 26th of March last, submitting resolution of the Legislative Council in favour of a reconsideration of the decision as to the future withdrawal of the existing Ecclesias- tical Grants in Hongkong.
2. I regret that I am unable to see sufficient reason for such reconsideration, in the fact that both in the Straits Settlements and in Mauritius, proposals for disendowment were at one time under consideration, but were not carried into effect; for in the case of Hongkong the question was raised in a different manner, and settled by the Secretary of State after a full consideration of all the special
circumstances.
3. I concur in the opinion expressed by Lord DERBY, in his despatch, No. 103, of the 19th of May, 1883, and do not feel myself justified in reversing the decision arrived at by his predecessor.
4. I have also received your despatch, No. 109, of the 2nd of April on this subject, and I will address you separately regarding the arrangements which will have to be made when the present grants cease.
The Officer Administering the Government of
HONGKONG.
I have, &c.,
(Signed);
GRANVILLE.