Discusses problem of inducing natives to invest in Indian Govt loans, on the importance of which he agrees with Argyll; hopes for loan of 90 lakhs from Maharaja of Patiala's State funds.
(Sir) H Maine intends to retire as Legal Member of Council; praises Maine's abilities; distinguished English lawyer would fill vacancy better than anyone in India (some of whom are unsuitable for appointment to Council because of private circumstances); describes how he intends to handle proposal...
Answers at length Argyll's criticisms [in letter of 25 March] of his financial measures, pointing out in particular that he had succeeded in introducing an income tax, to which there had been great opposition, without a dissenting voice in either Governor-General's or Legislative Council; hopes t...
Temple's health necessitates his going home; Patiala loan in hand; settlement of recent frontier disturbance afforded opportunity to show that Amir is willing to cooperate in repression of crimeArgyll's despatch on Stud - present system indefensible; opium prospects; (Sir) T D Forsyth (Commission...
[Refers to Argyll's letter of 16 April]; in agreement on railways; will be cautious about embarking on new irrigation projects; if irrigation is to be continued on scale commensurate with India's needs, his proposed system of accounts and payment for them will be essential; emphasises strength of...
Has just heard Bombay opium revenue for 1868-69 over-estimated by £488,680 (£1,761,320 as against £2,250,000) which accounts for much of error in estimate of cash balances; searching enquiry into error will be made.
Acknowledges Argyll's letter of 23 April; Star of India should not be given to Nawab of Bengal until Argyll hears further from Mayo; extraordinary uncertainty of opium revenue forecasts; decision to sell 48,000 chests of opium in 1870.
[Refers to Argyll's letter of 23 April]; will look into question of survey for Burma-China road - Col Fytche (Commissioner of British Burma) is very impulsive; Consul has been established at Bhamo with Burmese consent; Bank of Bengal agency in Bombay.
[Refers to Argyll's letter of 7 May]; defends text of his letter to Amir of Afghanistan, reiterating explanations given in his letter of 4 April, and endeavouring to remove misapprehensions in England about the letter and events at Ambala; deprecates any explanatory statements to Amir; secret des...
Regrets letter from Sir W Seymour Fitzgerald (Governor of Bombay) on policy towards Muscat gave offence – it should be treated as private having been included in official monthly printed proceedings by mistake.