Authorities, & that he has never interfered with them; quoting from a despatch received from the Colonial Secretary statements confirming his assertion that they are still actively existing.
I concur with him in thinking that more is to be lost than gained by any attempt to bring such relations under specific rules, & it will be far better left to the mutual good understanding of the authorities on both sides of the border than defined by rules which are very likely to be productive of difficulties & embarrassments from which we are now exempt.
I have accordingly answered Mr. Robertson in this sense, directing him to exercise discretion in pressing for any further action in this direction.
I have &c.
(52) R. Alcock
Copy
Size 378
British Consulate
Canton.
In 12549 bg
August 13, 1869.
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch nos 27 & 31, with their respective enclosures, having reference to direct communication between the Authorities of the Colony of Hongkong & those of the Chinese at the city of Kowloon, & instructing me to take such steps as may be in my power to give effect to Lord Granville's wish confirmed by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs as to the necessary communication between the subordinate authorities on each side of the boundary, & report the result to you.
"It may be, H. T's Interpreter, who was absent on 2 months leave at Macau, volunteered...