The forces of Boughing harbour have always communicated in his own name with the Senior naval officer in the Harbour.
The Colonial Secretary's Office has hitherto been used as the place of deposit of such communications.
Communications from the Governor to the Commanders of Foreign vessels of war have been made, since the receipt of the Colonial Office Circular of July 1836, by the Colonial Secretary to the Consul of the Country to which the vessel belongs.
The two points therefore in which the existing practice in Hongkong seems to be at variance with the Circular of March last, are: 1st the plan of deposit for communications between the former and the Officers in Command of Her Majesty's naval Forces, and 2ndly the Colonial Official employed to convey to the Consuls the Governor's communications intended for the Commanders of Foreign vessels of war.
The Colonial Secretary of Hongkong is merely, as it were, the mouthpiece of the Governor. All letters for the information of the Governor are addressed to him, and all the Governor's orders and communications are issued through him.