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China Mail, No. 471, February 23, 1854. Hong Kong,
"Dr. Bowring, as we announced six weeks ago, has been appointed Plenipotentiary and Superintendent of Trade, and as the separation of the offices would involve the 'fash' of new Act of Parliament, Order in Council, and Colonial Charter, he will likewise hold the appointment of Governor of Hong Kong; but the duties of the office will probably be intrusted to Colonel Caine, with the title of Lieutenant-Governor, to which, if economy and efficiency were really desired, might be added Commandant of the Garrison, after the departure of General Jervois, the present holder of these two offices."
China Mail, No. 479, April 20, 1854. Hong Kong.
"We have long thought Colonel Caine would make a good Governor, but unfortunately his commission as Lieutenant-Governor is effective only in the absence of Sir John Bowring. No doubt it is proposed that the Colonel shall, as we announced two months ago, administer the affairs of the colony in which Sir John Bowring will not interfere, unless when his supreme authority is indispensable; but such division of duty and responsibility must impair the efficiency of the office, and cases may arise in which important, but not very palatable measures may be suffered to drop between the two stools of Governor and Lieutenant-Governor, the one refusing to interfere, and the other holding that he has not the actual power."
China Mail, No. 495, August 10, 1854.
"The appointment of Lieutenant-Colonel Caine to the Lieutenant-Governorship of Hong Kong would appear to have been received as favourably in India as here.” Bengal Hurkaru remarks-"We are glad to remark that Lieutenant-Colonel Caine, who served in India for upwards of a quarter of a century before he proceeded with the Cameronians to China in 1840, and who must be well known to many of our readers, has been raised to the dignity of Lieutenant-Governor of Hong Kong, an honour and a reward to which his long and meritorious services well entitle him.”
(No. 709.) Sir,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Victoria,
Hong Kong, September 26, 1856. I am directed to forward the accompanying address from
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the Indian residents of this city, with copy of covering letter from Mr. Mitchell, Acting Chief Magistrate. I have the honour, &c.
(Signed) W. T. MERCER,
H. E. Colonel Caine.
(No. 30.)
Colonial Secretary.
Chief Magistrate's Office, Victoria,
Sir,
Hong Kong, September 26, 1859. I have the honour to transmit the enclosed letter to my address from a class whom I may designate as the "Old Indians of the colony, and most of whom I dare say are personally known to yourself. The address is evidently intended as a farewell tribute to Colonel Caine, to whose feelings, notwithstanding its uncouth form, I make no doubt it will be acceptable.
I have the honour, &c. (Signed) W. H. MITCHELL, The Hon. W. T. Mercer,
Colonial Secretary.
Honoured Sir,
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Acting Chief Magistrate.
W. H. MITCHELL, Esq.
Hong Kong, September 24, 1859. We, the undersigned, do most humbly beg your Honour,
to take this case as far as your Honour pleases to assist your most obedient servants. In the beginning of the first war with China, we, the Indians, gave good credit to the British, and assisted them as much as it lay in our power, by carrying provisions, &c., &c., to the men-of-war ships, Company's vessels, &c., &c., in the Hong Kong roads: this was twenty years ago, in Sir Henry Pottinger's time: after Hong Kong was taken, now nineteen years, gave it to Colonel Caine's charge, and appointed him Magistrate of the colony. Colonel Caine was an upright person, in his duties he gave much credit to the Government at the time; if there was any complaint to be made, we used to go to him, and he does nothing but justice.
We beg your Honour to look thoughtfully upon this case, and assist us. Now there are all new Government officials in Hong Kong, they don't know us, Colonel Caine is the only one now who has been from the beginning to this time. Unfortunately he is going to leave his old faithful servants behind, who do mournfully regret his loss. May it please Providence to place one in his stead-so kind, civil, and charitable.
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