26.
27
25
an increased sale of deleterious spirits by unlicensed Chinese,
which already exists to far too great an extent.
(sgd) A. Fletcher, I.P. Sigd Ales Perceval, S.P. (Walter Ormiston Sh.) Macandrew: I.P.
(«) Thor D. Neave I.P. (•) C.F. Hill, I.P.
(Copy)
(190) & Campbell. 18. -
I most thoroughly concur with the opinions expressed by Mr. Mercer and Mr Alexander, and cannot perceive how such of Sir Hope Grant's proposals, as can be legally carried out, will remedy the evil complained of - It is the Military Authorities, not the Civil, that can effect this.
(signed) R. Muirhead Reddie, I.P. 19th March, 1861.
I am quite of opinion that drunkenness among the soldiery can be much more easily checked by the Military than by the Civil Authorities, and that the regulations proposed by Sir Hope Grant would prove ineffectual in lessening or doing away with the evil complained of.
(signed) P. Ryrie, S.P. 13th March 1861.