To ceple advert to the observations contained in his despatch. Whenever he feels himself able to offer definite suggestions as to any one of them, accompanied by such information as will enable H.M. Govt to come to a satisfactory decision they will be prepared to give their best attention to his views.
1
I agree with Sir Merivale that his attention should be called to the Regulations as to Estimates.
2. At the present prices of living I think £5000 may be allowed to the Superintendent of Trade but I should think £4000 again sufficient as a permanent arrangement. I decide on giving Sir J. Bowring an additional £1000 as a temporary allowance for the next year either as a temporary or permanent arrangement. The question is whether it should come from Colonial or Imperial Funds. I recommend the latter, not merely on general grounds, but because I think it pretty certain that a considerable expense will arise on the Colonial Treasury to meet the cost of a steamer for protection from the Pirates.
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To which point I will further advert.
3. I agree that the Treasurer should have an increase of Salary, £200 should be recommended to the hearing.
4. The proposal to license gambling Houses is one on which I feel much difficulty. In European Communities the arguments against such a course preponderate very decidedly, but it is not clear to me that they hold good when applied to such a population as the Chinese & hybrids of Hong Kong.
As to the subject of Education it may be worthy of consideration whether competent persons could not be found at home already possessed of a moderate language acquaintance with the Chinese, which is the great desideratum both for Educational & other officers.