SIR,
Hongkong, 7th September, 1880.
We have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 1095 of 31st ult., the contents of which have our careful attention, but do not seem to require any special comment.
We have to remind you, however, that we addressed you on 26th ult., intimating that we did the fee of $2,000, exacted from the Company, for License to distil in the premises known as the Hongkong Distillery, under protest, and merely to prevent the valuable property from remaining longer un-used, and expressing our hope that His Excellency the Governor would be pleased to reconsider the decision, at which he had arrived.
To this communication, no reply has, as yet, been received, and we shall feel obliged by your informing us whether we may expect one. The question involved is important, and we think it our duty to press for its solution.
We have the honour to be,
No. 1185.
GENTLEMEN,
COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE.
Hongkong, 15th September, 1880.
I am directed by the Governor to return you herewith $61.92, being the pro-rata sum pertaining to the unexpired portion of the current year in respect of which the license fee of $100 was paid in April last, such unexpired portion commencing with the date of the new license recently granted.
I have the honour to be, Gentlemen,
Your most obedient Servant,
FREDERICK STEWART,
Acting Colonial Secretary.
The Honourable,
MESSRS. JARDINE, MATHESON & Co.
&c.
&c.
Sir,
(Signed)
Your most obedient Servants, JARDINE, MATHESON & Co.
General Agents.
CHINA SUGAR REFINING COMPANY, LIMITED,
No. 1201
COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE,
Hongkong, 16th September, 1880.
FREDERICK STEWART, L. L. D.
Acting Colonial Secretary.
No. 1141.
GENTLEMEN,
COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE.
Hongkong, 7th September, 1880.
Referring to Mr. DICKIE's application of the 12th of April last, and the fee of a hundred dollars which he enclosed for the renewal of his former license, I have the honour, by direction of the Governor, to return the money, and to say that His Excellency has been pleased to forego all claims connected therewith.
I have the honour to be, Gentlemen,
Your most obedient Servant,
FREDERICK STEWART, Acting Colonial Secretary.
GENTLEMEN,
In reply to your letter of the 7th instant regarding your protest against the License Fee of $2,000, I am directed to inform you that the decision of the Governor in Council with reference to the license was arrived at only after a very careful consideration of all the circumstances, and that His Excellency is not prepared to re-open the question so settled for the current twelve months.
I have the honour to be,
Gentlemen,
MESSRS. JARDINE, MATHESON & Co.
&c.
.
Your most obedient Servant, FREDERICK STEWART,
Acting Colonial Secretary.
MESSRS. JARDINE, MATHESON & Co.
&c.
&c.
SIR,
Hongkong, 8th September, 1880.
We have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 1141 of yesterday's date, returning, by direction of His Excellency the Governor, One hundred Dollars, being the usual annual fee, which Mr. DICKIE had paid on 12th April last, when applying for the renewal, for the current year, of his former License. Without some explanation, we do not feel at liberty to accept this sum, and therefore return the money enclosed, as Mr. DICKIE, the Manager of this Company, is liable for, at any rate, the portion of the year to this date. Should His Excellency see fit to refund the pro-rata sum, pertaining to the unexpired portion of the current year, we shall be prepared to receive it.
(Signed)
We have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servants, JARDINE, MATHESON & Co.
General Agents. CHINA SUGAR REFINING COMPANY, LIMITED.
SIR,
Hongkong, 18th September, 1880.
We have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 1185 of 15th instant, enclosing Sixty-one Dollars and ninety-two cents ($61.92), being the pro-rata sum, pertaining to the unexpired portion of the current year, in respect of the License fee of $100 for distillation of spirits paid by Mr. DICKIE in April last, and which you are directed to return to us by His Excellency the Governor.
We have the honour to be,
The Honourable
FREDERICK STEWART, L. L. D.
Acting Colonial Secretary,
(Signed)
Sir,
Your most obedient Servants,
JARDINE, MATHESON & Co.
General Agents. CHINA SUGAR REFINING COMPANY, LIMITED.
The Honourable
FREDERICK STEWART, L. L. D.
Acting Colonial Secretary.
507