Unhappily I continue to experience at the hands of the Governor in all official matters and by the love and style of the minutes and letters with which it is customary to harass and mortify it proper my daily life.
Now due to...
In these circumstances, I have no alternative left but to request very respectfully that the Governor will be pleased to transmit to the Lord, the Secretary of State my letter of the 7th instant together with the enclosed copy for my information of this date.
Due to my recent indisposition the latter would have been carried out by me sooner, but for the delay.
I have to apologise for... [unreadable text, possibly "...the delay..."]
I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient Servant,
(signed) J. M. Price, Surveyor General.
True Copy.
My Lord,
Hong Kong. 26th August 1880
It is my duty to address Your Lordship on the subject of Mr. Ford's Report on the Free planting and Garden management published by the Governor in the Hong Kong Government Gazette of the 31st ultimo, after a lapse of ten months.
His Excellency not having allowed me to see Mr. Ford's charges before officially printing them, I felt it due to myself to ask Your Lordship to do me that justice which had been denied me in the Colony by allowing my statement in the matter, and accordingly I now venture very respectfully to submit the same.
The Rt. Hon. The Earl of Kimberley, Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies.