CO129-136 - Sir MacDonnell - 1869 [1-3] — Page 359

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

3547

I have shown how very strongly I had from the first exerted myself to keep the transactions of the Government with the Licensees above all fault and suspicion by insisting that they being made direct personal transactions between the Government and the Licensees.

All business was therefore arranged by myself and the Licensees in presence of leading public functionaries such as the Colonial Secretary and the Auditor General.

It may be true that the time has now arrived when the Government has acquired experience sufficient to devise some new and better mode of collecting the Licenses, but I venture to assert that nothing has occurred to show that at the time when all was experimental the Executive here had not adopted the best and simplest policy by summarily professing and selecting from the parties applying those who were most respectable in fortune and character.

Experience, more than that yet acquired, can alone mould the principle to serve as the mould wherein to shape future transactions, and much question if the best principle has yet been discovered.

It is easier to assert than to prove that there are only two right modes of procedure, viz: either accepting the highest offer on deciding by lot, the fees and regulations being previously fixed.

The probability is that a better plan than either will be devised. Of those two...

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3547 I have shown how very strongly I had from the first exerted myself to keep the transactions of the Government with the Licensees above all fault and suspicion by insisting that they being made direct personal transactions between the Government and the Licensees. All business was therefore arranged by myself and the Licensees in presence of leading public functionaries such as the Colonial Secretary and the Auditor General. It may be true that the time has now arrived when the Government has acquired experience sufficient to devise some new and better mode of collecting the Licenses, but I venture to assert that nothing has occurred to show that at the time when all was experimental the Executive here had not adopted the best and simplest policy by summarily professing and selecting from the parties applying those who were most respectable in fortune and character. Experience, more than that yet acquired, can alone mould the principle to serve as the mould wherein to shape future transactions, and much question if the best principle has yet been discovered. It is easier to assert than to prove that there are only two right modes of procedure, viz: either accepting the highest offer on deciding by lot, the fees and regulations being previously fixed. The probability is that a better plan than either will be devised. Of those two...
Baseline (Original)
3547 sheve how very strongly I had from the first excerted myself to keep the transactions of the Goverment with the Licensees above all dault and suspicion by insisting then being made direct personal transactions and the Licensees. between the Government on All business was therefore ancnged by I myself und the Licensees in presence of leading public functionaries such as the Solonial Secretary and the Auditor General. It may be true that the time has now arrived when the Gavemment has facquired experience sufficient to devise some new and better mode of celletting the Licenses, but I venture to apert that nothing has occured to show that at Itime when all was experimental the Executive here had not adopted the best and simplest policy by summarily profaible and selecting from the parties applying thase who were most respectable in fortune character. Experience, than that yet acquired, столе and wolve a principle to Serve probably much من can alone the mould wherein to shape future transactions, ant! much question if the best principle J very has yet 8. It been discovered. more prove that there easy 11 are to apert than to only two right modes of procedure, viz: either accepting the highest offer on deciding by let the fees and regulations being previously lixid. The probability is that a better plan tham either will be devised. Of those two yet, NDE
2026-05-20 03:06:34 · Baseline
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3547

sheve how very strongly I had from the first excerted myself to keep the transactions of the Goverment with the Licensees above all dault and suspicion by insisting then being made direct personal transactions

and the Licensees.

between the Government

on

All business

was therefore ancnged by

I myself

und the Licensees in presence of

leading public functionaries such as the

Solonial Secretary and the Auditor General.

It may

be true that the time has

now arrived when the Gavemment has facquired experience sufficient to devise some new and better mode of celletting the Licenses, but I venture to apert that nothing has occured to show that at Itime when all was

experimental the

Executive here had not adopted the best and simplest policy by summarily

profaible

and

selecting from the parties applying thase who were most respectable in fortune character. Experience,

than that yet acquired,

столе

and

wolve a principle to Serve

probably much

من

can alone

the mould

wherein to shape future transactions, ant!

much question if the best principle

J

very

has

yet

8. It

been discovered.

more

prove that there

easy

11

are

to apert than to

only two right

modes

of procedure, viz: either accepting the highest offer on deciding by let the fees

and

regulations being previously lixid.

The probability is that a better plan tham either will be devised. Of those two

yet,

NDE

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