GOVERNOR
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should
official members 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.
19. With regard to the institution of a
Municipal Council, I frankly say that I should like to
see one established at Hong Kong. But there appears
to be two practical difficulties in the way. The
first is the present crisis. I am not prepared to
sanction any important change of administration until the future is tolerably clear and until the necessary
measures for protecting the health of the colony have
been finally decided upon and brought into operation. Then in a clear field it may be possible to create a municipal body with some prospect of success. The
second difficulty, to which allusion has already been
made, is that of separating municipal from colonial
matters. I am not confident that that difficulty can
be overcome nor am I confident that a municipality would be welcome to, and work harmoniously with, the
Military authorities. Still it is possible that the Sanitary Board might be developed into a satisfactory Municipal Council controlling all or some of the revenue
which is now derived from rates. Whether any scheme of the kind is feasible I would ask you carefully to consider at your leisure, and in the meantime you are
at liberty, if you see occasion to do so, to give
publicity to this despatch.
I have, etc.,
SIR W.ROBINSON, K.C.M.G.,
etc.,
etc..
(Sgd.)
etc.,
RIPON.