The China Mail wrote: "If any further attempt is made to reverse the decision of the Col. Off., we hope some one will tell the S. of State that the members and adherents of St. John's Cathedral by no means form the majority of the whole European, even the British community, and that the less rich section is unable to maintain an independent Church without aid from Government."
The Daily Press: "It is very evident that the members of that Church do not intend to support it at their own cost if they can possibly throw the burden on others."
The Hong Kong Telegraph: "In Scotch Church, since its establishment some years ago, has been self-supporting; if the English Church cannot support itself, the sooner its doors are closed the better for the cause of true religion."
"For myself, I hope and believe that an English Church will get on better without the political subvention," when (as Mr. Gladstone said yesterday) "instead of going to an office in Downing St. for assistance, they begin to depend on voluntary help from 'the Christian mind and Christian heart at large'." See also report of meeting of the Union Church in Daily Press of 30 April, from which it appears that that Church body are "counter-petitioning on this question (which is, I think, on their part) magnanimous, but they are evidently not generally in favour of the continuance of the Endowment of a single - not the largest - body of Christians."
Referring to your despatch No. 153, the case cannot be reconsidered. The Memorial has been carefully considered, but under all the circumstances, Lord Knutsford sees no reason to depart from the decision already arrived at some years ago in this matter; and refer to decision in 16936, to future arrangements for services at Gaol & Hospital, and Ord. for add that the necessary legislation transferring the Cathedral to a Church Body should be introduced as soon as possible in accordance with despatch 8451/86 [the proposed ...].