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became one of the chief depôts of the opium trade, I thought it might be possible to get up a public meeting in aid of the Indian famine relief fund. With that object I sounded Mr. Keswick, the managing partner of the House of Jardine Matheson & Co. Your Lordship will, however, see from the enclosed correspondence that on account of the famine in China, and other causes, Mr. Keswick does not think the proposal of public subscription would meet with much encouragement.
Owing to the commercial relations between Hongkong and India, I believe a Government grant to the Famine relief fund would be approved by the Legislative Council, if Your Lordship will allow me to propose it.
2.
In Mr. Administrator Austin's despatch No. 163 of the 28th March 1877, he reports having obtained a vote of $1000 from the Legislative Council of Hongkong for the famine relief fund in North China.
I have the honour to be,
My Lord,
Your Lordship's Most Obedient humble servant,
Governor