CO129-489 - Governor Sir Stubbs & Sir Clementi - 1925 [8-12] — Page 156

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louse 4. 3

some five to six hundred yards, there being no casualties.

153

4. A public meeting was convened by Mr. P.H. Holyoak,a member of the Executive and Legislative Councils, on the 25th August, and a telegram was subsequently sent to the Prime Minister. I attach a press report of the proceedings. The leading British Companies and firms were not represented at the meeting, the reason, I understand, being that their principals in England were not in favour of the policy advocated by the conveners of the meeting.

5. I attach a translation of a telegram which was sent on the 26th August by representative Chinese merchants of Hongkong to all Chinese Chambers of Commerce throughout the world. Two abusive

replies have been received, translations of which

are enclosed.

•

6. The financial situation shows no sign of

improvement. The revenue of the Colony has decreased

by some $500,000 a month and steps are being taken

for a drastic reduction in expenditure. No new

public works are being undertaken works now in progress are being stopped as far as possible, and the Crown Agents have been asked to cancel all outstanding indents, where no contract has been

entered into. The services of sixteen teachers

on the temporary staff in the Education Department are being dispensed with, this step being rendered possible by the fact that some 700 of the senior boys who went on strike from the Government schools will not be permitted to return when the schools re-open on the 7th September, Later,when the

public