that Sir Henry concurred in the opinion expressed by the Executive Council that the work should be let to local contractors. Although I have some misgivings, I am fairly satisfied that not entirely sharing Sir Henry's anticipation that it would be impracticable to induce good English contractors to tender for the work without very special stipulations, I am of the opinion that it is now too late to adopt that course, unless the commencement of the reclamation is delayed to an extent which is out of the question. It appears unlikely that there is now no alternative but to let the work out in sections to local contractors, subject to the supervision of the Surveyor General, but having regard to the success of large works under the departmental system and to the special difficulties connected with the customs and peculiarities of Chinese contractors.