State. That correspondence, in addition to his other duties and avocations, is too heavy a burden for any unaided Governor, especially in so enervating a climate as that of Hongkong. Moreover, for obvious reasons, it is desirable that the Colonial Secretary should be in this, as in other Crown Colonies, in the full confidence of the Governor, and familiar with all questions which arise in the despatch of public business, with the views and opinions of the Imperial Government.
It will be observed that Mr Marsh refers to the language on this subject held by a former Secretary of State to a former Governor of Hongkong in the despatch of 27th August, 1879. It is there stated that "the Colonial Secretary's office ought clearly to be so strengthened or so relieved that it can take charge of what ought to be one of its principal functions, namely, the public correspondence between the Secretary of State and the Governor. Unless this rule is observed, the Colonial Secretary cannot occupy his proper place in the administration of the Colony. Much inconvenience must occur