Sessional_Paper_1893 — Page 817

[iv].

Appendix 4.

COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE.

HONGKONG, 28th April, 1892.

SIR,

I am directed to inform you that His Excellency the Governor has been pleased to appoint you to be a member of a Special Committee consisting of the Honourable Acting Colonial Treasurer, Honourable C. P. CHATER, Honourable Ho KAI, and yourself, with the Honourable Registrar-General as Chairman, for the purpose of investigating and reporting on certain points in connection with the Bill for the incorporation of the Pó Léung Kuk presently before the Legislative Council.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

G. T. M. O'BRIEN, Colonial Secretary.

Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD.

SIR,

HONGKONG, 29th April, 1892.

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt to-day of your letter dated yesterday. Will you permit me to point out, for the consideration of His Excellency the Governor, that a Commission presided over by the Honourable the Registrar-General will not be considered satisfactory by the public.

Mr. STEWART LOCKHART is officially the mouth-piece and representative of the Pó Léung Kuk, and the mover as well as the strong advocate, of the proposed Bill. On his report and recommendation the new Ordinance was brought forward.

Furthermore, one of the points to be enquired into by the Commission, as per your letter to the Registrar-General No. 736 of yesterday, paragraph 4, is to ascertain whether any portion of the monies ($30,000) subscribed in support of the Pó Léung Kuk Society has not been absolutely and entirely subscribed voluntarily.

The Registrar-General being personally concerned in this matter, it having been suggested that his official influence was brought to bear on certain subscribers, it is surely not advisable that he should be asked to preside over the Commission.

Under these circumstances I would suggest that either the Honourable Colonial Secretary or the Acting Chief Justice be appointed Chairman of the Commission.

I have shewn this letter to the Honourable Mr. C. P. CHATER, and I am authorised to say he concurs herein.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

The Honourable G. T. M. O'BRIEN, C.M.G.,

Colonial Secretary.

T. H. WHITEHEAD.