CO129-298 - Governor Sir Blake Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne - 1900 [3-4] — Page 218

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piratical robberies on the river. The Viceroy suggested that

these local questions should be arranged locally instead of being

submitted to Peking. As this proposal would not affect the

Imperial Customs, it appears to the Governor to be eminently

a matter for local adjustment, but for some time, in consequence

of the attitude assumed by the Viceroy's predecessor, the

Governor has been in communication with Sir Robert Bart on the

subject. If the Viceroy is prepared to accept His Excellency's

suggestion His Excellency believes that it will result in an

immediate and beneficial change in the security of the river,

and by the increase in means of communication, will tend to

the development of trade and consequent increase of the

Provincial Revenues. His Excellency will esteen it as a favour

if the Viceroy will consider this question without delay, as

it is a pressing one that must be decided either at Canton or

Peking. To His Excellency it will be a matter of great satisfac-

tion if he finds that a question exclusively affecting Hongkong

and Canton can be settled between the two local Governments

without the delays and misunderstandings inseparable from

reference to Peking.

I have ete.

($d.) F. H. May,

Acting Colonial Secretary.