Sessional_Paper_1886-1887 — Page 168

165

No.

37

1888.

HONGKONG.

DESPATCH RESPECTING SIR GEORGE BOWEN'S DEPARTURE FROM THE COLONY.

Presented to the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government,

on the 27th August, 1886.

The Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Officer Administering the

Government of Hongkong.

HONGKONG,

No. 20.

SIR,

DOWNING STREET,

1st February, 1886.

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Sir GEORGE BOWEN'S Despatch, No. 462, of the 18th of December, reporting the proceedings which took place on the occasion of his departure from the Colony.

I have read this despatch and its enclosures, with much interest; and as I gather from the terms of Sir GEORGE BOWEN'S Address to the Legislative Council, and the reply thereto that it is not probable that Sir GEORGE BOWEN will return to the Colony, I have pleasure in availing myself of this opportunity of expressing my sense of the energy and ability with which he has devoted himself to the adminis- tration of the important Government of Hongkong, and of recording the satisfaction with which I have noticed his reference to the efficient co-operation afforded to him by the Legislature of the Colony, and by all branches of the Public Service.

The Officer Administering the Government of

HONGKONG.

I have, &c.,

(Signed),

FRED. STANLEY.