Copy for: No. 33-75.
1123 Hong Kong
RECEIVER
FEB 18 1868
Pall Mall,
30 January, 1868.
With reference to your letter of 27th inst., enclosing a copy of a despatch from Sir R. Macdonnell relative to a claim to exemption from Police and Lighting rates in respect of a house hired by the War Office and allotted under the regulations of the service to the Officer Commanding the Royal Artillery at Hong Kong, I am directed by the Secretary of State to request that you will state to the Governor of Hong Kong that the house in question is not, as Sir R. Macdonnell appears to suppose, occupied by Captain Carey as a private residence, but as a Public Quarter, to which he is entitled in his military capacity, and that this is not affected by the circumstance that his family resides in it, and that no part is appropriated as an office.
Sir John Pakington is therefore of opinion that, unless the local laws of Hong Kong require Police and Lighting rates to be paid for buildings hired by Government for Military purposes, this claim to exemption from rates should be allowed.
Under Secretary of State,
Colonial Office.