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I telegraphed, in reply asking Your Lordship's attention to my despatch of the 19th of last September. My attention has now been drawn to the fact that the London and China Express (a newspaper printed in England, but intended for circulation in the East) on the 1st of October 1880 states that this particular report (which he has not seen) officially printed because however the Editor of Mr. Ford was says M. Price had incurred the Governor's displeasure, being the same statement. in his letter to Your Lordship of the 7th of August which I transmitted in the despatch. No. 149.
2.
As Mr. Price's imputation of improper motive is thus made public and as Your Lordship has made it the subject of a telegram, I think it well to add whatever information can be obtained respecting the printing of the report of October 1879, in addition to the remarks made on the subject in paragraph 10 of the despatch No 149 of 19th September, 1880.
3.
The Report in question, with an addendum dated the 15th of May, 1880, was printed in the ordinary course of official work.
4.
Sir Michael Hicks Beach's Circular despatch of the 24th of February, 1880, about forest management and tree planting, was received in Hongkong on the 29th of April, 1880. Four or five days after this, it was sent to Mr. Ford, the
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