Of the frequent request by Williams on how to draw their lordships' attention to the back of my Secretary's letter in which he was directed to state that the wish of the Tung Wah Hospital is that it be defrayed from the Funds of the Colony from which the fee to W. Buchanan would be provided.
With regard to that part of their lordships' letter in which they suggest that D. Buchanan warned that Imperial Funds should be liable for his fee in the event of Tung Wah refusing the charge, I request W. Williams to clearly explain to W. Buchanan that he is dealing with the matter only on behalf of the Colonial Government of Hong Kong, and be asked to submit for their lordships' consideration whether it is necessary to use expressions implying doubt of the good faith of a community which has hitherto fully fulfilled its pecuniary obligations with the utmost promptness and punctuality.
It would perhaps be going too far to suggest that Lord Kimberley concurs with their lordships in conceiving it not to be within their province to question Lord Kimberley's judgment as the highest medical authority advising his lordship respecting plans for the proposed new Hospital at Tung Wah.
We may now write to the Colonial Office.