Mr. Alexander, in the letter of which I enclose a copy, states that he for- wards Your Grace my letter of 8th instant, that a due estimate may be obtained of the value of my recent aspersions upon public officers. I cannot think after the exposure which the last Hongkong blue book made of the exparte and truthless practices of the local government of this Colony, that Your Grace will attach implicit confidence to those representations made to Your Grace regarding me which Mr. Alexander avers are analogous to my charge against Mr. Ball as proving their worthlessness and my viu- dictiveness.
To afford Your Grace ocular demonstration of the management of affairs here and to enable a judgement to be formed as to the validity of my charges The office of my against the administration of local affairs, I will give an instance.
The municipal taxes paper is a tenement the rent whereof is about £300 per annum. only are about £25 per annum. I have occupied the premises nearly three years.
A few weeks ago I had Photographic views taken of the three approaches to these premises. I enclose the same that Your Grace may believe your own eyes. During the entire period of my residence these approaches have been more or less in the state represented. Although the Gaol, containing 500 convicts abuts on the Old Bailey, and although the pavement of that street is loose stones, still it was left un- touched for nearly two years. To prove that convicts can work upon the Old Bailey Street, I call Your Grace's attention to View No. 1. The police man there seen, was a guard over convicts employed carrying the boulders into the Gaol. The Gaol has been more than doubled in size, since which expansion the stock of stones in- tended for the convicts to break has been placed on one side of the Old Bailey, choking up the gutter and forcing the water during heavy rains across the street. The Photographs were taken a few weeks ago, since when there has been some lit- tle improvement. Chancery Lane has never been paved nor drained, and each suc- cessive rain breaks it up. To the sense of smell the place is quite as odious as to the sense of sight, owing to the opportunity afforded for the commission of nuisances, to' ck the lake of drainage in Chancery Lane, and to the drains of Old Bailey Street being un- trapped. The wreck exhibited by view No. 3 has occurred time and again.The re- pairs must have cost many thousands of Pounds, not a penny of which ever appcared in the estimates.
If Your Grace would but direct a return to be furnished of all the sums voted for public works during the incumbency of the present Surveyor General, with a specification of such public works as they now exist, and a survey from competent par- ties of the state of the same,I am right sure, that the Colony would not have so warm, so true a friend as Your Grace, especially having in view its liberal civil and pension
list.
I have the honor to be,
My Lord Duke,
Your Grace's most obedient humble servant.
by Murrow
898
Coopy
Siv
Colonial Brorstary Office,
82 1139/13-
HongKong, Wh December 18624,
372
I am directed to xcxnowledge receipt.
of your letter of yesterday enclosing for _ ._ transmission to His Grace The Duke of Ettercasite
a charge against the Judge of the Axemmary
a
Jurisdiction Court.
Mr Ball is thoroughly capable of conducting the businces of his own. Department. and This Excellency the Acting Stavernor would decline to be the instrument of an injurious
fommunication, or to obtrude a worthless accusation
upon the nation of the brankary of, Males - Beck that he thinos. it well that the Duke of Nuncastle should be wor afforded this additional opportunity of esterating the value of your recent copersiono on public officics . With this intention your letter shall, bes-- forwarded by the mail of 15th Instant.
I have the honor to be,
Bur
Your grvost. Obedient. Berwandt, (ignd) Fr. Hb Alexander
Acting Colonial Secretiary.
G I. Murrow Exqpe
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.