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crippled; may have contributed to his not attending to his business as he ought to have done. But if so, why has the Governor kept us in the dark?
2. Under the circumstances of Mr. Labouchere's despatch of the 24th, the Governor may appoint the Financial Secretary, if he chooses, to the Legislative Council.
3. Mr. Hyndman is Chief Clerk in the Government.
b. 147.
Mr. Meigh. Assuming that Mr. Labouchere is not adverse to Mr. Meigh returning to Hongkong on the expiry of his leave, the question arises as to his pension. I fear that the Governor's previous reports as to the bad state in which Mr. Meigh left his Office are commented on by the Treasury, and that he will not meet with approval. It is to be borne in mind that he has been in bad health, which I hear is quite genuine.
C. Mr. Dally's suggestion is that the first step will be to appoint a successor without delay. Mr. Dowling's remark about Mr. Batman is very enigmatical: surely the doubt, whether he is a British subject or not, can be cleared up at once, and if he is not, the Legislature of HK has full power to make him one. But I suppose it is best to affirm that Sir J. B. means to imply other objections.
2. Pension to Mr. Meigh - Sir J. B. Gentleman's recent conduct rather complicates the difficulty – perhaps it may be better to see what reply he makes to our last letter depriving him of Office. At Labouchere's instance, I have modified our letter so as to hold out hopes of a pension if his recent conduct is explained.
Am.7.16.
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