No.
523.
Sir,
C.O.
798
4831
Government FB*2
Hongkong, 31st December, 1901.
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram of the 21st instant, relative to the proposed extension of the operation of Ordinance No. 40 of 1899, and to inform you that in accordance with the instructions contained in that telegram the Ordinance in question has, by a Resolution of Legislative Council, been extended for a period of three months from the 30th day of this month.
2. I enclose for your information a copy of the Registrar-General's Report on the working of the Ordinance, and in view of his observations and of the fact that the Ordinance is working smoothly and effectively, I have the honour to recommend that it may be extended for a further period of two years.
3. I regret that through an oversight a report on the working of the Ordinance was not forwarded to you at an earlier date.
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN, M.P., &c., &c.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient humble servant,
Henry Arthur Blake
Governor.