Has received letter from Beadon which confirms him in view that Dewangiri should not have been abandoned; thinks Lawrence has erred in removing Mr Buckle from all judicial employments.
Regret at Indian budget so contrary to what he had been led to expect; applauds Lawrence for having taken the right line; Lawrence 'quite right not to hear of their transferring the burthen from the shoulders of the rich to those of the poor [i.e. by increasing salt tax]. I am ashamed of the self...
Agrees with nearly every word of Lawrence's minute on Income Tax; is opposed to borrowing for barracks unless there is additional taxation 'it is a great deal too bad of the Civilians, landholders and merchants forcing your hand on the Income Tax, and trying to shift the load on to the natives in...
Explains that while Massey would be a source of legal advice in Maine's absence, he is not to take charge of Legal Dept, and Lawrence will still need assistance of Whitley Stokes (Secretary to Legislative Council).
Relations between Norman and Durand seem to be composed; brief comments only on various matters; may need replacement for John A F Hawkins as Secretary to India Office Judicial Dept; need for improvement in land revenue; discontent among Bombay subalterns over dearness of provisions; suggests tax...
Is quite satisfied on Oudh; believes root of problem was Wingfield's expression of recording all as tenants at will; 'difficulty never arose in Bengal to any extent till the Englishman became the Landowner, but one of the future difficulties in India, is the natural disposition of an Englishman t...
Complains of leakages at Calcutta and slowness of Govt offices there; when a Bill is sent home, it has to be ascertained 'whether it is in such a shape that our previous sanction can be held to apply to it'; brief comments on army reductions; Punjab Act may be invalid, as Wood's despatch giving p...