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in all matters
occasioned by any regulation which impedes the first intercourse between the Authorities of not merely neighbouring, but actually adjoining districts, especially which relate to the conservation of the place, detection of criminals, that
considers the time has arrived for making improvement in the rules we are at
present supposed to exist.
A delay of three days with only ends to third parties at Canton, who have to communicate second hand with the Chinese Mandarins at Kowloon, requires very strong argument to support it in preference to a direct communication with the same parties; forty minutes.
Under these circumstances H.E. requests that you will take the subject into consideration & hopes you may early secure the Viceroy's approval of direct communication between the Col: Sec: of this Govt. & the Chinese Authorities at Kowloon, who, it is admitted, have always manifested the utmost willingness to act cordially and in harmony with this Govt.
[signed] J. Gardiner Austin
Colonial Secretary.