of Furniture for Government Houses.
According to those Regulations, only the apartments appropriated to the reception of Company on public days, are furnished at the Expense of the Colonial Revenue, and Their Lordships feel some hesitation in approving the Expenditure of the sum of £500 for Furniture for the private Apartments in the Government House at Hongkong, notwithstanding the Explanations contained in the Report of the Surveyor General, appended to the Governor's Despatch.
The Estimate submitted is only approximate and it is not shown that the expense will be limited to £500.
Their Lordships are aware of the practice adopted in other Colonies, in regard to the disposal of the Furniture of the private apartments of the Government Houses, on the change of the Governors, but they are under the impression that the matter has been generally arranged between the outgoing Governor and his successor.
Should His Grace be of opinion that a provision should be made in the present instance, Their Lordships will be prepared to Consider how far certain Articles necessary for the Governor's Apartments, not easily obtained in Hongkong, may be supplied.
They desire, however, that the Certificates of Inspection, on the departure of the late Governor, required by the Regulations, should be punctually furnished and that due care be in future taken for the periodical Inspection of all the Furniture supplied at the Public Expense.
I am,
Your Obedient Servant,
Les Allamullan