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the twofold consideration of iconomy to the Colony (for the Colonial Allowance would only be small and supplementary to their regular pay) and of benefit to the soldier, whose pay and comforts would be increased, while healthy employment would be given him, the want of which, as all experience in Hongkong shows, tends to the stagnation of, and ultimately, to the destruction of his mental and physical powers.
4. If it be determined to levy the full sum of £20,000 per annum, let not the public works be stopped as they otherwise must be, but let a special Military contribution Tariff be levied to that amount under authority of a Legislative enactment.
I should of course prefer to see any other method pursued and propose this only as a remote alternative, but I have the less hesitation in going so under the circumstances in that the residents of Hongkong find the Colony singularly profitable, and are