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there is a Board for opening and accepting Tenders for Tubli e Works, Stores &c. for the service. This is not the case at present in Hong Kong; where the Colonial Secretary opens all tenders, and afterwards refers them for report to the head of the Department concerned, whose recommendation is generally approved by the Governor.
2. Rystem is objectionable for many obvious reasons; and experience has shown that it has been the main cause of several officers of Government having been exposed to, it is firmly believed, most unjust insinuations and attacks.
3. Accordingly, I have advised the Executive Council to have appointed a Board of Tenders, composed as will be seen from the annexed document, and with rules founded on those prescribed for the Commissariat Department.