CO129-018 - Others - 1846 — Page 537

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CORRESPONDENCE

The whole revenue received during the quarter, including arrears of land rents due for the past years, amounted to 2,3127. 9s. 8d. The declared quarterly account will be transmitted to the auditor for exami- nation to-morrow.

I am still unable to complete the Consular accounts in a form similar to my colonial quarterly account, in consequence of some of the Consuls' accounts being still wanting. For instance, I have not yet received the Shanghai Consulate for the quarter ending 31st December, 1844. Moreover, the Consuls have been rendering quarterly accounts current which are almost useless, in consequence of their entering as cash imprest warrants passed here in their favour; and also by reason of no credit being given for the deductions on account of income tax and superannuation fund.

During a recent visit to some of the Consulates, I ascertained these defects, and pointed them out to the Chief Superintendent of Trade (Governor Davis). The Consuls complain of receiving various and contradictory instructions as to the form of keeping their accounts. Soon after my arrival here, a set of complete instructions were sent to each Consulate relative to their accounts. These, however, have since been altered by counter orders, without even my knowledge. On this, as also on other points, I hope soon to offer some observations for the consideration of their Lordships.

With reference to the colonial accounts, I regret to state, that the instructions of their Lordships are not yet adopted. It will be seen by the vouchers to my present quarterly accounts that the salary abstracts do not distinguish the fixed from the supplemental salaries; and the requisite forms for quarterly warrants for fixed salaries and ordinary contingencies are rejected. Some of the departments draw their salaries monthly on final warrants; other departments draw what money they please monthly, on documents signed by the Governor, called "imprest warrants," and all are paid before the termination of the quarter for which the services are rendered.

I have long since found it useless to make any further representa- tions to Governor Davis on these and other deviations from the positive instructions of their Lordships, and which I earnestly but in vain implored the Governor to carry into effect at the commencement of the present year.

My representations were treated as wilful obstructions to the public business; some of the most necessary safeguards and forms peculiarly

WITH THE TREASURY.

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requisite in the receipt and disbursement of money were peremptorily set aside*,-the quarterly returns delayed, and it was only with great difficulty, and after much labour and anxiety, that I prevented an inextricable confusion in the public accounts.

I hope soon to have an opportunity of explaining these proceedings personally to the Commissioners for Auditing the Public Accounts, as I am, though with great reluctance, about to tender my resignation as Her Majesty's Treasurer here to Governor Davis, until I can bring the whole subject of this island and of the British position and prospects in China under the full consideration of Her Majesty's Ministers. I understand that Governor Davis is recommending a further expenditure of half a million dollars for civil works on this barren useless rock. I conscientiously feel bound to declare that I consider the proposed outlay an utter waste of the resources of the British exchequer and 1 earnestly hope that their Lordships will pause before they sanction this abstraction from the Chinese indemnity fund on its transit to the home Treasury.

During the last twelve months, I have endeavoured by the feeble means within my power to check what I consider wanton disbursement of the public money here.

Governor Davis, however, has avowed his determination to spend as much as possible of the Chinese indemnity fund on Hong Kong, on the plea that when the Chinese supply ceases, and Parliament begins to discuss and to vote annually the sums to be expended, the sanctioned estimates will be very small.

I believe that a governor's first duty is a consideration of the necessity of the outlay, and not of the ease with which money may be obtained.

No means now remain to me for the prevention of this continued and augmenting useless expenditure on Hong Kong, other than the resigna- tion of my commission in Her Majesty's service; and if my gracious Sovereign should be pleased to accept that resignation, I shall have the satisfaction of feeling, that although the sacrifice is to me personally

* I was informed by one of the officers of the Government at Hong Kong, that this was intentional, and done with a view of embarrassing me, in order to pre- vent my giving attention to any other subject connected with Hong Kong, or our affairs in China, and to damage my character in England. The diminution of salaries, the abolition of useless offices, the retrenchment of expenditure, and the exposure of errors, caused a perfect conspiracy to be raised against me.

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