$
TZ
nostructions. The general question is very important ones_the_ minor question of whether r good price be offered for mus
2
vessel seems utterly insig ficant by comparison.
in
12 to the meantime however
1/4
? though from the nature " present illness, I have been obliged to observe closer confinement & more absoluti rest of late than six months ass; I trust the danger is passing away & that I may fairly hope to be able to present
smyself within a reasonable period at the Colonial Office for transaction of business & to ascertaine Ford Kimberley's final wisher on the general question before
resemming my
administration
it Hong Kong.
13.
You will observe that II
509
have not develt on the collateral benefits which may arise to # . M . service & to the Colony from possession of such a
Such beusfits are
sufficiety the
sobrious, & probably should
not les lost sight of altogether although of themselves not contributing reason suffi-
OL
cient to sway the actuat decision of the larger question, 14 I shall of course warn with great pleasure that 4. M. Covernment without further delay can decide to allow employment of "the "Victoria" at the expense
of the License Fund & also to expend some of that Hand on the procurement of Inspec tors
of character & capacity. from England. Eevertheless of a decision question is to be adjourned for the present, I would
on such
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