CO129-396 - Public Offices - 1912 — Page 161

Confidential.

(

Sir: -

PEKING,

October 2nd, 1912.

159

Race 26 00T 12

With reference to Mr. Severn's despatch No.2194/1912

of the 8th. of May last, I have the honour to inform Your

Excellency that an opportunity recently presented itself

of sounding the Inspector-General of Custons as to the

prospect of the Chinese Government agreeing to make an

increased contribution towards the cost of the light on

Gap Rock.

ar. Aglen's view, which is embodied in the enclosed

letter and appears to be borne out by the records, is to the

effect that no sufficient grounds seen to exist upon which

an appeal could be made to the Chinese Government in favour

of a departure from one of the fundamental principles of

the Agreement of 1888, namely that the light should be

constructed and maintained at the expense of Hongkong. Thie

view might perhaps be subject to modification if it could

His Excellency

Sir F.H. May, K.C.M.G.

kc., &c., &c.

Hongkong.

be