Sessional_Paper_1891 — Page 427

423

Secretary of State to Officer Administering the Government,

HONGKONG.

No. 239.

SIR,

DOWNING STREET,

6th October, 1891.

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 266 of the 10th of August, furnishing the report which I had called for in my despatch No. 39 of 27th February last, in regard to certain Public Works which I was then unable to sanction, in the absence of more complete information.

2. In view of the explanations given in your despatch under acknowledgment, I have now to sanction the execution of the works in question, and on the 3rd instant I informed you to that effect by telegraph.

3. I observe with satisfaction that it has been found possible to reduce the estimates of the total cost of the Slaughter House, &c., Kennedy Town by $5,000 and of the Central Market by $20,000.

4. It appears that the annual cost of lighting the streets will be increased nearly 50 per cent. by the partial introduction of Electric lighting, and I considér that this large expenditure should not have been incurred without obtaining the previous sanction of the Secretary of State.

5. I am aware that the estimated increase in the Assessed Taxes will more than cover this increased expenditure, but in view of the heavy outlay on other works of local improvement, especially the Water and Drainage works now in hand, it is a question whether it would not have been wiser to postpone the introduction of Electric lighting for which no urgent necessity has, so far as I am aware, been shown to exist.

I have the honour to be,

The Officer Administering the Government of

HONGKONG.

Sir,

Your most obedient humble Servant,

KNUTSFORD.