appointment desirable and even necessary, and I venture to ask for it your approval and sanction.

I have the honour to be,

with the highest respect,

Sir,

Mr. Merivale.

Your Most Obedient, Humble Servant,

Sam. Browne

Hong Kong is now in a state of great stress in property matters at present, and with it there is no doubt a demand for building. Therefore it would not be advisable to cripple public enterprise by rescinding the appointment which the Governor represents as necessary. I think the grounds for such an appointment are fairly disclosed by the Governor's dispatch, and besides I cannot understand why the proposed office should be connected with an overseer of public works - (see $345).

It makes no reference to $345 & does not say whether the Local Government received our sanction to the appointment of an overseer, which is embarrassing – only suggesting carrying on sanction if we can conditionally weaken this appointment as an addition to the master of works in charge of the heavy works.

March 15.

I submit that under the circumstances we are asked to sanction hire, and I think this may best be done. The appointment of an overseer was but temporary - probably not a very fit person was to be had in the Colony. If we can get a good man, he will be sure to be serviceable in the Colony.

I read a dispatch from the Secretary of the Navy. March 15.

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appointment desirable and even necessary, and I venture to ask for it your approval and sanction.

I have the honour to be,

with the highest respect,

Sir,

Mr. Merivale.

Your Most Obedient, Humble Servant,

Sam Browne

Hong Kong is now in a state of great stress in property matters at present, and with it there is no doubt a demand for building. Therefore it would not be advisable to cripple public enterprise by rescinding the appointment which the Governor represents as necessary. I think the grounds for such an appointment are fairly disclosed by the Governor's dispatch, and besides I cannot understand why the proposed office should be connected with an overseer of public works - (see $345).

It makes no reference to $345 & does not say whether the Local Government received our sanction to the appointment of an overseer, which is embarrassing – only suggesting carrying on sanction if we can conditionally weaken this appointment as an addition to the master of works in charge of the heavy works.

March 15.

I submit that under the circumstances we are asked to sanction hire, and I think this may best be done. The appointment of an overseer was but temporary - probably not a very fit person was to be had in the Colony. If we can get a good man, he will be sure to be serviceable in the Colony.

I read a dispatch from the Secretary of the Navy. March 15.

Page 24

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