§ COLONEL SYKESsaid, he wished to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether the money arising from the licensing of Gambling Houses in Hong Kong has been included as an ordinary source of revenue in the Return of Revenue and Expenditure for 1868; and, whether such appropriation is sanctioned by the Secretary of State?
§ MR. MONSELLreplied, that the money arising from the licensing of gambling houses in Hong Kong had been included as an ordinary source of revenue in the Return of Revenue and Expenditure for 1868. Such appropriation would never be sanctioned in future; and a letter had been addressed by Earl Granville to the Governor of Hong Kong, stating that it was the wish of the Government that the surplus gambling fees should be funded as a reserve for carrying out the vigorous efforts which might be made for the suppression of the exercise of the vice of gambling.