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than a defence of my position; but if I felt any duty to expose the state of things which I found at Hongkong I should require a much more lengthened statement, and to go into details more taxing to the powers of credence than any I have yet advanced.
I do not, in the slightest degree, know what documents have been transmitted to the Colonial Office, nor (beyond what I have herein stated) what is the case against me; but, without giving me any opportunity for explanation, I am called upon to resign.
I have always been, and still am, ready to complete my engagement in good faith and conscience, and I believe my return to the colony would be hailed with general satisfaction.
HY. FRED. GIBBONS.
APPENDIX.
APPENDIX No. 1.
Extracts from the Report of the Commissioners appointed by His Excellency JOHN POPE HENNESSY, C.M.G., Governor of Hong Kong, to inquire into certain offices of the Supreme Court.
1st. It is apparent to the Commissioners that the thorough re-organization of the Offices of the Supreme Court is necessary, that the rules and orders authorized by Ordinance 13, of 1873, should be framed, that a scale of costs and fees should be drawn up, that each officer should be bound to find security in a sufficient sum, and that the value of such security should be annually ascertained, that the duty of every officer should be clearly defined to him, and that until this is done there can be no hope of a satisfactory solution of the present difficulties and inconvenience arising from the want in the Supreme Court of a perfect system.
2nd. The Commissioners recommend a slight addition to the present staff, and they are of opinion that their recommendations, if thoroughly carried out, will add very considerably to the revenue to be collected from the various branches of the Court. It is considered that the Registrar's duties, at present, are greater, if thoroughly performed, than it is competent for any one person to perform, as in addition to duties attendant upon proceedings in the various jurisdictions of the Supreme Court, he has all the important accounts of the Court to make up and numerous Administrations and Bankrupt estates to attend to without any assistance whatever.
3rd. The Commissioners recommend that a competent accountant with a knowledge of mercantile affairs should be appointed
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