Lo Nr 25
Victoria, 20th September 1885
In response to your letter of yesterday, I express my regret that mine of that date failed to put you in possession of any information. My letter and the Correspondence laid before you are contained herein.
If, from the perusal of Clause 8 of 1856, you think yourself at liberty to ask me such questions, it is evident to me that we differ considerably as to the meanings of many words in the English language, and that therefore questions propounded by you would only produce a misunderstanding.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your Most Obedient Servant,
(Signed) William Comer
Acting Surveyor General.
20th September 1885
The Hon. W. H. Marsh
Colonial Secretary
Hall, 11th September 1868
I have the honour to request that you will lay the accompanying Correspondence before the Governor.
I require this for the purpose of being embodied in a Memorial of this transaction which I am preparing for the Secretary of State, and I now address myself with all respect to His Excellency, requesting that he will either be pleased to command that the information be given to me, or leave to justify the refusal to grant it, and take upon himself the whole responsibility of that refusal.
I beg to state that materials worth several hundred dollars, which were adjudged to be a nuisance and ordered to be carried away, were actually carried away by the Surveyor General and his gang of convicts, while the natural charges of abating the nuisance did not amount to twenty dollars. I ask for the purpose of laying my complaint before the Secretary of State, and the Supreme Court, and the Imperial Parliament: What became of the surplus?
I have been told that my enquiry is considered an eccentric one.
I again and finally ask, with all respect, that a better answer is prepared to justify that response, either directly or by refusing to interfere with it.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your Obedient Servant,
(Signed) A. Nielson
Copy
Correspondence between the Surveyor General and Engineer New Extension between John Kennish;
My letters in address are numbered 14, the Surveyor General's replies are 19 to 21.
The information which I have applied for, I require.
Colonial Secretary's Office, Victoria, Hong Kong, 2nd September 1856
I have the honour to acknowledge your letter, and am directed to reply that the questions involved in it imply a recrimination against the acting Surveyor General.