CO129-318 - Governor Sir Blake - 1903 [7-10] — Page 345

No.4/5.

Hongkong.

Government House,

REC

C. O.

36983

342

REGS OCT 03)

Hongkong, 31st. August, 1903.

Sir,

70 21964

59 with reference to your Despatch No. 236

of the 19th. June and my telegram of the 27th. instant, I have

the honour to inform you that until the tems of the new

Venice Sanitary Convention have been fully considered in this

Colony I consider it undesirable that any notification should

be given of the accession of Hongkong.

2.

In May, 1902, when referring to the approach-

ing expiration of the existing Convention, Professor Simpson

pointed out that before renewal a number of alterations would

be made in the text, and that it would be well to await inform-

ation as to any proposed modification of existing conditions.

3.

In view of the very special conditions

existing at this Port it is not improbable that in joining the

Convention this Government may undertake duties and responsibili-

ties that will be difficult and expensive to carry out and at

the same time unnecessary.

I have the honour to be, Sir,

Your most obedient Humble servant,

Henry Asstake

Governor, ko..

RIGHT HONOURABLE

JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN, M.P.,

&C...

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