You Memorial
The Reports which accompany, the Blue Book for 1854 have been printed, and it is doubtful if this despatch will be fruitful & added to the Collection, as it embraces Questions which require the decision of the Secretary of State, such as the licensing of gambling houses, and the increase of the Salaries of the Government officers. A great part of the despatch appears to relate more to the Estimates for the ensuing year than to the Blue Book for the current year.
In a minute on a Dispatch respecting the relative portions of the Grand Jury – which is at present in circulation, you furnished an instance of Sir S. Bouring declining a proposed increase of Salary.
10369 H. Kong
258
W Ball
This despatch requires serious consideration, which it is rather difficult to contain inasmuch as it embraces rapid views of many different subjects, all of which must be dealt with, lest silence on them will by and bye be interpreted as consent.
1.
No doubt the revenue of H.K. is in a flourishing condition, and the Chinese troubles, which some thought would seriously affect the interests of the colony, seem rather to have promoted, than injured commerce & population. Hong Kong appears to seek our protection. Accordingly, it may be doubted whether it can be safely taxed to meet the great outlay on public works, &c. which the forms here rather indicate than distinctly state. I think his attention should...