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come under the Government and the Sanitary Board,
and this would most certainly lead to friction and misunderstanding. At the same time it is easy to understand the desire of those who, having been accustomed to popular institutions in Great Britain, wish to extend similar institutions to this Colony. But so long as Hong Kong continues to retain its present character both as regards its constitution and its population, I do not think popular institutions would thrive under such unusual and peculiar conditions.
8.
After mature consideration of this difficult question, I am in favour of the Sanitary Board being placed directly under Government control in the manner proposed in my despatch No. 20163