My Lords eeverustly recommend that the Buildings to be erected for these purposes should not be costly, nor be constructed in an expensive manner, than the circumstances of the case absolutely require; and They suggest that detailed Plans and Estimates, in the preparation of which the Chief Officer of the Project at Hong Kong may properly be consulted to assist, should be laid before Her Majesty's Government, before any of the Buildings are erected.
The Governor and Superintendent of Trade will neither be liable to the Deductions prescribed by the Superannuation Acts, nor will he be entitled to a Pension under that Act in respect to his Services in China.
As it is not likely that the Officer who is denominated the "Surveyor General" in the Schedule of the Establishment, will have his time fully occupied by the Duties connected with the Superintendence of the Roads and Public Works in a small Settlement in which the Public Buildings will be confined to those indispensably necessary, My Lords would recommend that this Officer should also be charged with the Collection of all the different Branches of the Internal Revenue; and if Lord Stanley should concur in this suggestion "Surveyor and Collector" would appear to be a more correct Designation of his Office than "Surveyor General."
While giving this Section to the large and expensive Establishment which appears to be necessary for the proper Administration of the Affairs of the New Settlement at Hong Kong, My Lords think it right to reiterate the Opinion expressed in their Minute dated the 14th March last, that it is highly necessary that Measures should be adopted for the purpose of raising Revenue from Local Sources sufficient at least to defray the ordinary current Charge of the Civil Government of the Island.
Having declared the Port of Hong Kong to be free to the Ships of all Nations, it is proposed that...
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Proposals ought to be...