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With regard to your request that all despatches from the Governor to the Secretary of State on this subject should be published, I am to point out that His Excellency has no objection whatever to that course but since the correspondence will be addressed to the Secretary of State its publication is a matter for the Se- cretary of State to decide.

As a lawyer you will appreciate the importance in a matter of this kind of referring your quotations of opinions of Messrs. Landale and Shellim to the principals. I attach for your information the enclosed correspondence on the subject.

I am also to forward for your information correspondence with the Chinese Un-official Members of Council on the subject of your statement that no members of the Chinese community were asked to sign the Petition, which I may here observe was deposited in various public places for any one to sign who might wish to do so.

The Honourable

Mr. H. E. POLLOCK, K.C.

2003|1915.

I am, &c.,

CLAUD SEVERN,

Colonial Secretary.

COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE,

HONGKONG, 14th March, 1916.

SIR, I am directed to inform you that a petition addressed to the Secretary of State for the Colonies has been forwarded to His Excellency the Governor by Mr. H. E. Pollock. In a covering letter to the Secretary of State a passage occurs, § 4 page 14. of which I enclose a copy, and I am to enquire whether it reports correctly what

you said to Mr. Pollock,

I enclose a copy of the petition in order that you may see its object, and I am to request you to be so good as to return it to me with your reply.

The Honourable

Mr. DAVID LANDALE.

2003/1915.

I am, &c.,

CLAUD SEVERN,

Colonial Secretary.

COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE,

HONGKONG, 14th March, 1916.

SIR,-1 am directed to inform you that a petition addressed to the Secretary of State for the Colonies has been forwarded te His Excellency the Governor, by Mr. II. E. Pollock. in a covering letter to the Secretary of State the following passage occurs :

"Mr. Shellim wrote to me that he was sorry that he could not see his

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way to signing the petition as he did not consider the time oppor- tune, but that generally he agreed with it and thought that it "would have a better chance if brought forward at a more fitting

opportunity.

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