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you this authority, subject to the comments in paragraph 4 above, I desire to say that I appreciate that much work will be involved in the preparations for the institution of

Municipal Government and the revision of the present

constitution of the Legislative Council. Should you come to the conclusion that additional staff is required over and above the appointment of a Town Clerk, to avoid diverting your existing staff from the immediate and urgent problems of rehabilitation and development, I trust you will not

hesitate to raise the matter with me.

7. I have already intimated to Sir Mark Young that I am deeply sensible that it is in large measure due to his inspiration, and to the energy with which he has pursued this matter since his return to Hong Kong, that it is now

possible for me, on behalf of His Majesty's Government, to commend this scheme to the people of the Colony, offering as it does the opportunity for them to assume a fuller and more responsible share in the conduct of its own affairs. I only

regret that, because of the necessity for careful examination of the details of this comprehensive new departure, it has not been possible, as would have been fitting, to make public the decision of His Majesty's Government on those details before he relinquished the Governorship. I also wish to record my appreciation of the experienced and ready assistance which Mr. T. M. Hazlerigg, C. B. E.,M. C., gave throughout to Sir Mark Young.

8.

I understand that it is very desirable that Sir Mark Young's despatch No. 145, and this reply, should be made public in Hong Kong. I agree to such publication of this correspondence.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient,

humble servant,

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