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"received in a complimentary letter it seemed out of place to remonstrate. I have entered into these details at too great length but I wish Your Excellency to tune these facts, and to understand that the Report was drawn up and sent in haste only, namely to assist the deliberations of the Governor and the Executive Council; who it was expected would consult the Committee whenever any part seemed obscure, or any suggestions seemed impracticable. To their astonishment the great Committee have learnt within the last two months that this crude and imperfect collection of facts and opinions has been sent home before they finished Report."
With reference to Mr. Snowden's remark that he never had any communications personally with me or Sir Arthur Kennedy on the subject, I may mention that the day after I assumed the Government of Hongkong in April last, Mr. Snowden left the Colony for Japan. Mr. Anstey, Mr. Luny and Mr. Riquelme (other members of the Council also absent from the Colony) were very likely to be; if I thought I should gain anything by consulting them, the shocking state in which I found the discipline of the prison, would