CO129-090 - Public Offices & Others - 1862 — Page 262

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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 vin- 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 against the administration of local affairs, I will give an instance. The office of my paper is a tenement the rent whereof is about £300 per annum. The municipal taxes 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 cyes. 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 appeared 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 Buke,

Your Grace's most obedient humble servant.

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Colonial Secretary's Officer,

HongKony 9th. December, 1862,

I am directed to acknowledge receipt of your letter of yesterday enclosing for transmission to Hris Strace The Dude of Newcastle as charge against, the Seedge of the Summary Jurisdiction Court.

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Mr Ball is thoroughly capable of conducting the business of his own. Department, and His Excellency the Acting Governor would decline to be the instrument off an injurious Communications, or to obtrude as worthless accusation

upon the notice of the Decrebary of State beet. that he thinks it well that the Duke of stewcastle should be afforded this additional opportunity of estimating the value of your recent aspersions One public offrouch their intention your

officers, "Mich

letter shall

be forwarded by the mail of 16th motant.

I have the honor to be,

Siv

Your most obedient. Dervant, (signd) Dr. 86 Alexander,

Y. I Marnow Exafle

H.

Acting Bolonial Secretary