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arrangement which I have effected, till the necessity for a change shall have become apparent.
The maintenance of a Gunboat is a matter of less than £500 per annum, so little expense is involved that on grounds of economy it seems preferable for the Colony to maintain one.
The scheme which might fairly involve a contribution of £3,000 or £6,000 to the Colonial share of the maintenance of a Gunboat, although I do not gather from your Lordship's despatch that such contribution is to be expected.
It formed no part of the original scheme, and therefore I allude to it as possibly still in contemplation.
6.
It is quite true, looking at the magnitude of the shipping interests centred here, and the vast trade carried on in Native bottoms as well as in British ships, that the position of this Colony is such that it could be more suitable that the Governor should have under his orders a Gunboat, as is the case at the smaller Colony of Macao.
7.
where the Governor has a Gunboat entirely at his disposal, officered and manned by Her Majesty's Navy, could effectually discharge a certain class of Police duties, which must devolve on small Craft, and I think the Arcas, to which I have had recourse, will be found practically sufficient for a time.
8.
I do not hesitate in the least