I invariably consult the unofficial members before bringing into Council Measures of purely local interest. There is therefore not likely to be much practical gain from the formal appointment of an unofficial member to the Executive Council.
It has occurred to me that possibly, instead of making any such appointment, some understanding might be come to that in the case of discussion of specified local subjects, at least so long as no municipality is in existence at Hong Kong, one or more unofficial members should be summoned to take part in the proceedings of the Executive Council, without giving them seats on the Council for all purposes.
This is a point on which I shall be glad to have your opinion.
10. With regard to the creation of a municipal Council, I may say that I should like to see one established at Hongkong. But there appear to be two practical difficulties in the way. The first is that we are not in a position to sanction any important change in the administration until the future is tolerably clear, and until measures and the necessary steps for promoting the health of the colony have been finally decided and brought into operation.
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DRAFT.
Mr. Fairfield.
Mr. Wingfield.
Mr. Bramston.
Mr. Meade.
Mr. Buxton.
Marquess of Ripon.
MINUTE.