which had been actually defrayed from the Special Fund), and the reasons for so applying it, and I think it would not be easy to enter a valid objection against any part of that expenditure.
It would have been an assistance to me, if I had the means of laying before Your Lordship a correct and full version of the debates of the Council. Unfortunately, however, it is not possible to do so, as it is evident that the tendency and desire of one part of the Press is to turn everything to the disadvantage of the Government, and it is not easy to suppose the nonsense attributed to myself to be anything but due to the incompetence of the Reporter. The subject has lately been engaging the attention of members of the Council, with a view to providing a remedy. In the meantime, I transmit the report of the "China Mail" as being much the most faithful report, and at all events that which bears least evidence of having been intentionally garbled.
I think, however, the Estimates themselves, taken with the explanations furnished during the debate on them and those supplied by my Financial Statement, are clear, that it is not necessary at present to trouble Your Lordship further.
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