in the Legislative Council of Hongkong;
which is virtually little
more
than
a
Municipal Council, such as that of
Portsmouth or Plymouth, or of any
other large garrison town in
England.
What would be thought if
the
Municipal Council of (for instance) Portsmouth, more restricted by law, as is that of Hongkong, to seven (1) Government officers unconnected with
the town by property, by commercial interests, or by permanent residence, and to only two representatives of the local community; all nine being
nominated
by the Home Office
in
London? I earnestly hope that I shall
soon receive authority to reconstruct the Executive and Legislative Councils
over which I preside, in the manner recommended in my despatch no 62 of the 12th May
last. It will be recollected
that my plan, while securing the
aid of a fair representation of local property, knowledge, and experience, would, at the same time (as is necessary, for obvious reasons, in this Gibraltar of the East,
retain
Page 132
33
...
air & Bowen
6
458
18 is ultimo.