315
4.M4
I received a despatch R013 dated the January 18/3, from Lord Aberdeen in which His Lordship acquainted me, that Her Majesty's Government would sanction the appointment of a Colonial chaplain; also, that I would be afterwards informed of the degree of assistance which Her Majesty's Government would be prepared to give towards the erection of a church, and have been awaiting the same before I took any further steps.
I have been awaiting the information before I look any further steps.
In my return to Hong Kong, I shall instruct Mr. Gordon the head officer of the Civil Engineer to prepare an Estimate for the erection of a suitable church,
and I should imagine, if it is built solely at the public expense, that it will not cost above £3000 Sterling.
The plan I would suggest for maintaining the Building and raising it in repair, would be, a certain portion of it being divided into Private Pew & to let out on hire, and that Monuments erected either within the Building or the surrounding Yard should be charged accordingly, for the benefit of the Church Fund.
On Mr. Stanton's arrival, I shall ascertain his plans regarding a College and Schools, and will be then able to judge of the extent and nature of the land to be assigned to him, but at present I do not foresee the prospect of either being required in the Colony for perhaps years to come, with reference to the provision that is already made for the education of the scanty population.