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that the Colonial Legislature, comprising several of the most experienced men of business in this Community, are the best practical judges of this question. Nor are they likely to be extravagant in the disbursement of public money raised by rates paid by themselves.
5.
In connection with this subject, I would venture to request Your Lordship's attention to the Postscript to my despatch No. 334 of the 10th December instant.
I there showed that the English settlers in Hongkong, while recognising the necessity that the ultimate absolute control of everything should be vested in the Crown, absolutely in the Colonial Minister in England, and in the Governor as his local representative, "simply ask that their Legislative Council, composed of the Governor, of the Chief Justice, of the principal Officers of Government, and of several of the principal gentlemen in the community, should be permitted