CO129-023 - Sir John Davis - 1848 [1-3] — Page 210

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

Mr. Ellis.

The alternative which the Governor suggests will probably be regarded as an accommodation one at a time when success is very much to be desired, the expenses of these works which fall on Her Majesty in this revision of the ground rents, &c.

Expenditure of Warry Hong may require some justification to propose a more suitable mode of meeting the deficiency.

Sir d. Jardine has been able to do so.

AB. 22/4/48.

I do not understand the Governor to suggest a reduction: nor can I see that the Memorialists establish any good reason for such a course.

It can be done either by Customs Duties or by direct Taxation: the former would run the risk for which it is intended, and therefore the latter is indispensable. But of the two kinds of direct taxation the most automatic would seem to be the Auctioneers' Fees, which the Parties have fixed for themselves by bidding them in open Market.

The real truth is that there is evidently a lurking desire to throw the expenses of the Race on Parliament, but I cannot see why the People of this country should be taxed to find accommodation for the Merchants who carry on their wealthy Trade at Hong Kong, any more than for those who conduct their Business on the Banks of London or on the shores of the Mersey.

In all situations equally free to be despatched, from within a very narrow space; and of course the People who make fortunes by conducting it in a vast trade must pay prices for the land which is indispensable to facilitate their clique.

With regard to the duration of leases there might perhaps be no objection to extending their terms to 999 years. The first step would be to refer this matter to Messrs. Caine & others at whose hands all the past Transactions were attended.

Borham's (I think) Instructions relate to Women's subject. The last as rendered by S. Davis proves clearly their real sting.

The Party ought to certain public works (limited within) be appropriated.

I am of opinion that Hong Kong is really a Military Naval Station rather than a commercial Port, and it is one of the most important handles for trade capable of great extension.

Signed Ellen, Commissioner.

W. Pedder's budget must be referred to before this be amended, if anything is wanting.

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Mr. Ellis. The alternative which the Governor suggests will probably be regarded as an accommodation one at a time when success is very much to be desired, the expenses of these works which fall on Her Majesty in this revision of the ground rents, &c. Expenditure of Warry Hong may require some justification to propose a more suitable mode of meeting the deficiency. Sir d. Jardine has been able to do so. AB. 22/4/48. I do not understand the Governor to suggest a reduction: nor can I see that the Memorialists establish any good reason for such a course. It can be done either by Customs Duties or by direct Taxation: the former would run the risk for which it is intended, and therefore the latter is indispensable. But of the two kinds of direct taxation the most automatic would seem to be the Auctioneers' Fees, which the Parties have fixed for themselves by bidding them in open Market. The real truth is that there is evidently a lurking desire to throw the expenses of the Race on Parliament, but I cannot see why the People of this country should be taxed to find accommodation for the Merchants who carry on their wealthy Trade at Hong Kong, any more than for those who conduct their Business on the Banks of London or on the shores of the Mersey. In all situations equally free to be despatched, from within a very narrow space; and of course the People who make fortunes by conducting it in a vast trade must pay prices for the land which is indispensable to facilitate their clique. With regard to the duration of leases there might perhaps be no objection to extending their terms to 999 years. The first step would be to refer this matter to Messrs. Caine & others at whose hands all the past Transactions were attended. Borham's (I think) Instructions relate to Women's subject. The last as rendered by S. Davis proves clearly their real sting. The Party ought to certain public works (limited within) be appropriated. I am of opinion that Hong Kong is really a Military Naval Station rather than a commercial Port, and it is one of the most important handles for trade capable of great extension. Signed Ellen, Commissioner. W. Pedder's budget must be referred to before this be amended, if anything is wanting. Page 210 Page 211
Baseline (Original)
mine Mr. Ellist. heast The alternative which the gore suggests will proballybe This Country : & get the reduction regarded as an accomomment one at a time when may sukesen is beery marte to dissierest the ae pauses of thes Kong which fall on Her Bentiam in this recision ofthe to the ground rents scenes & Expenditure of Wrry Heng may some Frontification linable to propose a more aptable mode. of meeting the deficiing The Sie d. Jairs has been able to Jo. AB. 22/4/48. I do not understand the Governor to suggest que acduction: nor can I ue that the Memorialists establish any good provend whation for such a or at t 1 206 * made to pay ito Expences. It can or by direcé Papation : to former would run the brick for which only do so either by Custoons Futter it is freaded, and therefore the witter in incispensable. But fai kinds of direct treation the wast succtiomatic won't seem tre infectionable woud Cents, which the Parties have fixed for the insions by bidding them in open Market. The real truth is that there is evidently a licking desire & t For the expences of the Race on Parliament, but I cannot see why the People of this countrs should be taxed to find accomodation for the Merchants who carry on their wealthy Frede at Fong Long, any move Stan for those who conduct their Business the Bucks of London in the shores of the Mersey. In all the situations equalus fire to be despatched, from within a very porras é face; and of course the People who mare fortunes by conducting it in waving & Part a rast trade fish prices for the sand which is indis, Cenable to für click With regard to the duration of cars there might perhaps objection to extending their torme #A.) years. The first step would protesters in treter this papetch to mm? at whose offer an the past Transactions were attender!? Afe 24 refre it to line? 27/2 hove themale thrand to this. hat. Borham's (I think) Instructions ature Womens subject. The lust as pun de S. Duvis prove demily twire pay Real Sting hing bey ous civic Expenditure. The Party Octèr to certion publ are afproppuater works flimited Withem. Jard bowers that Hongking ii 444 my opinion is out be expanded вложу it is really Military thaval Station putter Partection four one hade with duma of the most impilatie handles four hade teafuble of great Extension. H ar sigmond Ellen Commuter. W. Pralines bustedes must be refined to before this be amaried, if anythy bre is weeping E Page 210Page 211
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mine

Mr. Ellist.

heast The alternative which the gore suggests will proballybe

This Country : & get the reduction regarded as an accomomment one at a time when may sukesen is beery marte to dissierest the ae pauses of thes Kong which fall on

Her Bentiam in this recision ofthe to

the ground rents scenes

& Expenditure of Wrry Heng may

some Frontification

linable

to propose a more aptable mode.

of meeting the deficiing

The

Sie d. Jairs has been able to

Jo.

AB. 22/4/48.

I do not understand the Governor to suggest que

acduction: nor can I ue

that the Memorialists

establish any good

provend whation for such a

or at t

1

206

* made to pay ito Expences. It can

or by direcé Papation : to former would run the brick for which only do so either by Custoons Futter it is freaded, and therefore the witter in incispensable. But fai kinds of direct treation the wast succtiomatic won't seem tre

• infectionable woud Cents, which the Parties have fixed for the insions by bidding them in open Market. The real truth is that there is evidently a licking desire & t For the expences of the Race on Parliament, but I cannot see why the People of this countrs should be taxed to find accomodation for the Merchants who carry

on their wealthy Frede at Fong Long, any move Stan for those who conduct their Business

the Bucks

of London in the shores of the Mersey. In all the situations equalus fire to be despatched, from within a very porras é face; and of course the People who mare fortunes by conducting it in waving & Part

a rast trade

fish prices for the sand which is indis, Cenable to für click

With regard to the duration of cars there might perhaps

objection to extending their torme #A.) years. The first step would

protesters in treter this papetch to mm? at whose offer an the past Transactions were attender!?

Afe 24

refre

it to line?

27/2

hove

themale thrand to this. hat. Borham's (I think) Instructions ature Womens subject. The lust as

pun de S. Duvis prove demily twire pay Real Sting hing

bey

ous civic Expenditure. The Party Octèr

to certion publ

are

afproppuater

works flimited Withem.

Jard bowers that Hongking

ii

444

my

opinion is out be expanded

вложу

it is really

Military thaval Station putter Partection four

one

hade with duma

of the most impilatie handles four hade teafuble of great

Extension. H

ar

sigmond Ellen

Commuter. W. Pralines bustedes

must be refined to before this be

amaried, if anythy bre

is weeping

E

Page 210Page 211

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