If conservatives have nomination of Lawrence's successor it will be Lord Mayo; comments on Mayo; asks Lawrence's advice on principal questions Mayo should study, and personalities of those with whom he will have to deal; this particularly desirable given probability that there will be new Secreta...
Negotiations with Orissa Irrigation Company; explains decision to complete Karachi Harbour works without further consultation; questions of bridging Hooghly, and whether to abandon Port Canning; Admiralty and Foreign Office object to separate Indian Navy, and Council not much in favour, but it ma...
Successful discussion in Legislative Council yesterday on Licence tax; Durand absented himself and Mansfield has gone up country; current attitudes of other members; Durand and Mansfield have sent in protests; suggests members of Govt should not only be obliged to vote for important measures but ...
Has written fully to Maine and spoken to Harington on rent question, for which only solution appears to be amendment of Act X of 1859; Trevelyan's idea of complete settlement between landlords and tenants, similar to permanent settlement between Govt and landholders all over India; discusses amen...
[Refers to Lawrence's letter of 25 August]; regarding appointment of new Governor of Punjab, has one doubt concerning McLeod, namely his 'extreme missionary views'; would want an assurance that of his discretion in future in such matters; same is true of Edwardes; doubts 'administrative power' of...
[Refers to Lawrence's letter of 28 August]; willing to retain Calcutta dockyard in Govt hands; not indifferent to Herat being in Persian hands but would not go to war to prevent Afghans giving it up; views on how to handle question of railways passing through Indian States; discusses problem of I...
[Refers to Lawrence's letter of 19 October]; question whether members of 2nd Class of Star of India will be knights and 'which is probably the more important question' whether their wives will be ladies; should recipients be allowed to retain insignia ?; possibility of creating a third class.