CO129-319 - Governor Sir Blake - 1903 [10-11] — Page 5

瀑

CONFIDENTIAL.

Q

Hongkong.

Sir,

C.O

41942

IREC

S

Goverment House,

REGE 13 NOV 03

Hongkong, 16th. October, 1903. 3

I have the honour to acknowledge the re- ceipt of Mr. Chamberlain's Confidential Circular Despatch of the 25th. August relating to the Crown Agents System, and to inform you that inasmuch as the complaints made by this Govern- ment in recent years have been few and of small importance as

a rule, I have no hesitation in saying that I am in full agree- ment with Mr. Chamberlain in the conclusions to which he has been led by his exhaustive enquiry into the advantages and disadvantages of the present system.

2.

+

With reference to paragraph 37, I have to inform you that I see no objection to the proposed rule that the Crown Agents in executing an order may, if necessary, exceed the price specified in the indent without reference to the Colony; and consider that the margin of excess referred to in the case of Lagos, namely, 25 per centum, may be adopted in respect of the dealings of the Crown Agents with this Colony.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient Humble servant,

Stury assabe

Governor, &c..

E RIGHT HONOURABLE

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE

COLONIES.