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of the fact that, almost contemporaneously with the subscription list being first sent round, the Government expressed their assent, which was published in the newspapers, to the terms of the 3rd Resolution, I am of opinion that the proposed Bill should provide for the refund to any persons, who wish to withdraw their subscriptions in consequence of the alteration of the scheme, of their subscriptions with interest at 4 per cent per annum from the time when such subscriptions were deposited in the Hong-Kong Bank.
It seems to me that, if a Bill in that form is passed, neither will the Jubilee Committee be able to take the objection that they are being exposed to legal proceedings, nor will any members of the public be able to take the objection that the Government is attempting to apply funds subscribed for one purpose to an entirely different purpose.
Such a Bill will also, by transferring the fund to the Colonial Treasurer, practically relieve the Government of further dealings with the Jubilee Committee.
I would suggest, however, that, before introducing any such Bill as I have proposed, it would only be courteous to address a letter to the Jubilee Committee pointing out (1) Mr. Ormsby's arguments against the original scheme, and (2) The Military objections to a level road round Mount Davis.
The outline of the proposed Bill, as above sketched out by me, should also be brought to the notice of the