It is difficult to make out whether there was an intention to be forthcoming.
The Police Commissioner's views are not clear. He has made some remarks on the Revenue's revelations and further stated that it appears to him that they may be adopted.
It appears that Sir A.M. ought certainly to have reported specially his intentions regarding this large increase of Police Expenditure, even though he states that he has not formed any definite opinion on the subject.
Looking to the past police history of the Colony, it is hoped that this increase will not be disallowed, but it is expected that suitable anticipations will be realized and that it will not be necessary to make use of the additional funds provided in the Estimates. He should be told that while Lord Kimberley is fully alive to the exceptional position of the Colony, he cannot view with favour an expenditure on Police that is far in excess of that considered necessary.
Still, we must bear in mind that it is difficult to compare Hongkong with other Colonies, for its geographical position renders it liable to constant invasion on the part of the criminal population of the adjacent Mainland. I think that a grant should properly be made from the Gambling Fund to build the Civil Hospital, which is urgently required.
There may be some issue about which we are concerned, relating to the gasworks. But the Colony's finances are in a state similar to that of the Banks with whom the...
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