CO129-396 - Public Offices - 1912 — Page 163

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there does not appear to me to be any suequate reason why

China should now be asked to contribute an annual sum

in excess of what is required to maintain a similar class

light on the China Coast, in order that in this way a

burden, which properly belongs to the tax-payers of the

Colony, may be placed on her shoulders, and she may be

made to share retrospectively the expenditure on the Gal

Rock Light during the last twenty years.

circumstances

I know of no

30-day in regard to this light that

differ in any essential respect from those which existed

in 1888 or that would appeal to the Chinese Government

as any reason for departure from one of the fundamental

principles of the agreement, numely, that the light should

be constructed and maintained at the expense of the

Colony.

While this is my view regarding the request for an

annual contribution of $10,000 towards the maintenance

expenses of the light, I would be prepared to recommend a

special contribution towards the cost of renewing the

lantern apparatus, which, I understand from the extract

you give me from the Governor's despatch, has been

sunctioned.

Yours sincerely,

(Signea)

F.A.Aglen.

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