OP Y.
Your Excellency,
CO.
443
14351
Race
You were no doubt as much surprised as I was (and as Sir Clementi was) to see his Memorandum on proportion of Opium Smokers to Population printed in last night's and this morning's papers.
The paper was not laid, but by the stupidity of a Chinese Clerk was placed on the table at end of Council Chamber where laid papers, copies of Bills etc., are put, without the knowledge of the Chief Clerk. The reporters quietly helped themselves to copies although the paper is not marked as "Laid on the table of the Legislative Council etc.", and although I had not laid it.
(sd.) F. H. May,
Colonial Secretary.
19th June, 1908.