D. & O. A
Hongkong, 31st December, 1876.
Examined and found correct.
C. MORLAND KERE, Auditore.
J. G. T. BASSELL,
278
(21)
Appendix A.
HONGKONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, HONGKONG, 10th February, 1870.
SIR,-By desire of the Committee of this Chamber, I have the honour to enclose herein a letter (in triplicate) addressed to the Right Honourable the EARL OF CARNARVON, Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies, on the subject of the Blockade of the Port, which I have to request that His Excellency the Governor will forward,
The Committee desire me to avail of this opportunity respectfully to submit to His Excellency their opinion that regulations might be made in regard to the entrance to and departure from this harbour of the Hoppo's cruizers and their tenders, which would materially check their predatory operations. The Committee are informed that at Gibraltar the Spanish Guarda Costas are not permitted to enter British waters on any pretence whatever.
I would also beg to state, as their opinion, that it is most unfortunate that the Government have thought fit to accord to the vessels in question the status of Men-of-War, to which they are in no respect entitled, the only warfare they carry on being against the commerce of this Colony.
I have the honour to remain,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
(Signed,)
P. RYRIE,
Chairman.
To the Honourable J. GARDINER AUSTIN,
Colonial Secretary,
&c.,
&c.
Dr.
THE HONGKONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN ACCOUNT CURRENT WITH THE SECRETARY.
To Rent, 12 Months at $50, $600.00 January Outstanding Accounts, 1875, Subscription of Members, 1876, $1,700.00 By Balance, 1875, brought forward, $4,973.85 &c., to Collections for Ct. 2,494.39 June 30th, Interest on Deposit, $5,000 at 6% "Withdrawn from Deposit Account, 1,500.00 1878. "Secretary's Salary, 1 year, 1,500.00 "Servants' Wages. 204.00 to Auditors' Fees, 1876, 40.00 to January 37 Dec. Printing Circulars, 1st July, 1875, to 30th June, 1876... 310.40 Dec. Advertising, 109.70 Newspaper Subscriptions, 300.00 Printing Pamphlet, 136.83 Refund, Mr. G. SHARP's Expenses, Block- 212.95 Gratuity to Mr. BLAKEMAN, 18.60 Expenses, Secretary's Visit to Hainan, 40.82 Extra Printing, Hainan Report, Litho- 28.90 Balance to New Account, 4,253.38 Petty Expenses, Stationery, & Postage and Receipt Stamps, $5,128.95 $5,229.23 DEPENDENCIES AT CREDIT. Interest on Fixed Deposits to 31st December, 1876, $68.14 Secretary, N. B. DENNYS, Fixed Deposits with Hongkong & Shanghai Bank at 5%, To collect to 31st December, 1876, for Circulars, &c., 1,366.16 $7,334.01 $5,229.28COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE,
HONGKONG, 15th February, 1876.
SIR-I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 10th instant, covering a letter in triplicate addressed to the Right Honourable the EARL OF CARNARVON, Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the