CO129-034 - Sir Bonham - 1850 [9-12] — Page 236

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

to render it necessary for the former to enforce a demand by distress; and it seemed to me not impossible that the example of the latter might encourage others of the inhabitants to offer a "passive resistance" to the enactments, which would have given rise to great confusion.

I have therefore deemed it preferable to lay the whole matter before your Lordship in the full belief that all private Buildings, no matter by whom occupied, beyond the limits of the Military Cantonments are subject to taxation; my own bungalow and that at present occupied by Admiral Austen, the Naval Commander-in-Chief's, are striking instances of the rule; and further, that your Lordship may see in what strain the Board of Revenue and Mr. Assistant Commissary General Smith have seen fit to animadvert upon the local Government.

The remonstrances of both parties appear to me to be very exceptionable both in tone and language; especially that of Mr. Assistant Commissary General Smith who goes the length of imputing to the local Government dishonesty of purpose, as will be understood from the following portion of his letter of the 27th October - "particularly as the nominal appearance of 'increase in the Colonial Revenue' might perhaps prevent the otherwise practicable reductions of Colonial Expenditure". It is needless to pronounce this insinuation perfectly groundless in itself.

It is one that a Gentleman of Mr. Smith's standing...

Page 231

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to render it necessary for the former to enforce a demand by distress; and it seemed to me not impossible that the example of the latter might encourage others of the inhabitants to offer a "passive resistance" to the enactments, which would have given rise to great confusion. I have therefore deemed it preferable to lay the whole matter before your Lordship in the full belief that all private Buildings, no matter by whom occupied, beyond the limits of the Military Cantonments are subject to taxation; my own bungalow and that at present occupied by Admiral Austen, the Naval Commander-in-Chief's, are striking instances of the rule; and further, that your Lordship may see in what strain the Board of Revenue and Mr. Assistant Commissary General Smith have seen fit to animadvert upon the local Government. The remonstrances of both parties appear to me to be very exceptionable both in tone and language; especially that of Mr. Assistant Commissary General Smith who goes the length of imputing to the local Government dishonesty of purpose, as will be understood from the following portion of his letter of the 27th October - "particularly as the nominal appearance of 'increase in the Colonial Revenue' might perhaps prevent the otherwise practicable reductions of Colonial Expenditure". It is needless to pronounce this insinuation perfectly groundless in itself. It is one that a Gentleman of Mr. Smith's standing... Page 231
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b to to render it necessary for the former enforce a demand by distress; and it seemed to me not impossible that the example of the latter might others of the inhabitants to offer a "passive resistanen" to the enactments, which would have given encourage : to great confusion. 6. size I have therefore deemed_ it preferable to lay the whole matter before your Lordship_ in the full belief that all private Buildings, no matter by whom occupied_ beyond. the limits of the Military Cantonments are subject to taxation; my oron hind house and that at present recupied by Admiral- Austen, the Naval Commander-in-Chiefs string instances of the rule :- and farther that your Lordship may see in what. strain the Board of Respective officers and Mr Assistant Commniesary General Sith have seen to their General Government. 231 fit to animadvert upon the local The remonstrances 7. remonstrances of both parties appear to are very exceptionable both in tone and language; especially that of Mrz accictant Commiscary General Smith who a # goes the length as of imputing to the local Government dishonesty of purpose, understand the following portion of his letter of the 27th October - "particularly as the nominaly apperance of " increase in the Colonial Revenue "might perhaps prevent the otherwise practicable, reductions of Colonial "Thxpenditure " . It is needless to pronounce this incinnation perfectly groundless in itself. a it is one that Gentleman of MoSmith's standing
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to

to render it necessary for the former

enforce a demand by distress; and it seemed to me not impossible that the example of the latter might

others of the inhabitants to offer a "passive resistanen" to the enactments, which would have given

encourage

: to great confusion.

6.

size

I have therefore deemed_ it preferable to lay the whole matter before your Lordship_ in the full belief that all private Buildings, no matter by whom occupied_ beyond.

the limits of the Military Cantonments are subject to taxation; my oron

hind house and that at present recupied by Admiral- Austen, the Naval Commander-in-Chiefs string instances of the rule :- and farther

that your

Lordship may

see in what.

strain the Board of Respective officers

and Mr Assistant Commniesary

General

Sith have seen

to their General Government.

231

fit to animadvert upon

the local

The remonstrances

7. remonstrances of both parties appear to are very exceptionable both in tone and language; especially that of Mrz accictant Commiscary General Smith who

a

#

goes

the length

as

of imputing to the local Government

dishonesty of purpose, understand the following portion of his letter of the 27th October - "particularly

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a

it is one

that

Gentleman of MoSmith's standing

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