1841-1886
J. POPE HENNESSY,
Governor.
Spare minutes which would be avoided if they had their family houses here. I need not enter into the matter more fully, beyond saying that I shall strain every nerve to induce our Chinese to have their family houses in Hongkong. I don't apprehend that in carrying out that, the cardinal object of my policy any outlay would be necessary on our part. I think it is simply a question of treating them fairly, ascertaining from the Chinese themselves what they want in order to have their family houses and then to consider to what extent we can go in meeting them. The time may come when I shall be able to submit to you some proposals on that subject, and though they may not be of a financial character, yet, I should take no step without consulting you.
I can only add, it will be my duty to look carefully into our expenditure for the coming year, and while I have the satisfaction of estimating a revenue of over a million dollars and of showing at this moment a balance at our bankers of over $277,000, I have every confidence that, by prudent watching the expenditure and stimulating the revenue, I may be able to give you an equally satisfactory account of our finances this time next year. I propose the first reading of an Ordinance to apply a sum not exceeding $780,000 (in addition to the permanent Civil List) to the public service for the year 1878.
The Bill to apply a sum not exceeding Seven hundred and Eighty thousand Dollars to the Public Service of the Year 1878, is then laid on the Table and read a first time.
His Excellency adjourns the Council at 4 P.M. to Monday, the 19th November.
Read and confirmed, this 19th day of November, 1877.
J. M. D'ALMADA E Castro, Acting Clerk of Councils.
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