No. 255.
99
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
HONGKONO, 1st August, 1917.
St-Referring to my Despatch No. 222 of the 29th June, 1917, in which was sub- mitted for the signification of His Majesty's pleasure the Rating (Special War Rate) Ordinance No. 18 of 1917, I have the honour to inform you that Lieutenant-Colonel J. Thursby Pelham, Treasury Chest Officer, has enquired of this Government whether it is permissible to pay from time to time the proceeds of this War Rate to him as His Majesty's Treasury Chest Officer.
In paragraph 3 of my Despatch No. 197 of the 13th June, 1917, I pointed out that £10,000 of War Loan had, through a misunderstanding, been taken up by the Crown Agents on behalf of this Government and that I proposed to pay for this stock by the proceeds of the new War Rate and thereafter to hand over the scrip to the Imperial Government in part payment of the contribution from the tax.
I have no objection to offer to the arrangement of handing the proceeds of the War Rate to the Treasury Chest Officer, an arrangement which as you will remember was adopted in connection with the Hongkong War Loan.
I propose therefore that after the sum of £10,000 has been paid for the above men- tioned War Loan Stock, further proceeds of the War Rate should be paid direct in dollars to the Treasury Chest Officer.
I should he glad to have your decision by telegraph.
The Right Honourable
WALTER LONG, M.P.,
bc.,
&c.,
déc.
I have, &c.,
F. H. MAY,
Governor, de.
Telegram from the Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Governor of Hongkong.
22nd September, 1917.
Your despatch of 1st August No. 255 proposals approved. Lords Commissioners of Treasury express their grateful appreciation of this further contribution to war expenditure and I desire to add my own cordial thanks. Despatch follows.
LONG.