280
they may regret the large expenditure which the Colony has been called upon to defray, they feel it is out of their power to recommend assistance out of Imperial Funds.
With regard to the suggestions of Mr H. Robinson that certain Gentlemen concerned in the Climat trade should be consulted on the subject, My Lords would observe that, even supposing that they recommended the continuance of the lighthouses, My Lords could not consider such an opinion as conclusive, unless accompanied by an expression of their willingness to contribute towards its maintenance.
My Lords presume that the effect of their decision will be to cause the Secretary of State to convey to the Governor instructions to close the lighthouses, unless he should find that the Council and Commercial Community of Hong-Kong are desirous to continue the experiment and to make provision for the pecuniary sacrifice which, at present at least, would appear to be the necessary result of such continuance.
My Lords think it right to...