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a Chinese colony under the British flag. Out of a population of 250,000, the Chinese amount to about 243,000, and it is with sanitation among the Chinese that a Board, whatever its constitution may be, must be chiefly concerned. Further, it would be extremely difficult to draw the line between matters which should come under the Government and the Sanitary Board, and this would most certainly lead to friction and misunderstanding. At the same time, it is easy to understand the desire of those who, having been accustomed to popular institutions in Great Britain, wish to extend similar institutions to this Colony. But so long as Hongkong continues to retain its present character both as regards its constitu- tion and its population, I do not think popular institutions would thrive under such unusual and peculiar conditions.
8. After mature consideration of this difficult question, I am in favour of the Sanitary Board being placed directly under Government control in the mauner proposed in my despatch No. 163 of the 18th May, 1895, but I have thought it right to place you in possession of the views held by others as well as my own, so that you may be in a position to consider both sides of the question before con- veying to me your final decision in the matter,
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient, humble Servant,
WILLIAM ROBINSON,
The Right Honourable
JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN, M.P.,
Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies,
jc.,
fc.
TELEGRAM.
Governor.
(Governor to the Secretary of State.)
HONGKONG, 27th October, 1896.
Referring to my despatch No. 150 of 30th June, when may reply be expected?
SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COLONIES.
GOVERNOR,
Hongkong.
GOVERNOR.
TELEGRAM.
(Secretary of State to the Governor.)
LONDON, 6th November, 1896.
Referring to your telegram of 27th October, despatch following by Mail.
SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COLONIES.
HONGKONG.
No. 234.
SIR,
(Secretary of State to the Governor.)
DOWNING STREET,
6th November, 1896.
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 150 of the 30th of June last and of your telegram of the 27th ultimo on the subject of the Sanitary Board.