We estimate these expenses for the current year at 80,000 Egyptian Pounds and a bit, including operational commissions. The municipal councils, especially the mixed ones, and the local commissions have achieved what was intended. There is no political importance, nor similarity, in entrusting the Egyptian city dwellers with managing their affairs, which improves both the administrative and political aspects. When they realized this, interest in these councils increased, elevating them to the level Lord Duffrin referred to in his report. But I say, without fear of blame, that we will not reach the stage of self-government if these councils are not viewed beyond mere paving of their streets, bringing water to their homes, and electrifying them. This would be met with great astonishment and surprise, as anything beyond these purposes is alien to their current thinking.

The second observation should not be forgotten. Mr. Mather wrote, "The inhabitants of the provincial towns, who have risen in their living standards to the level of Cairo's inhabitants, are desperately asking for water and light." I have no doubt about the truth of this statement, and the feeling of need for improvement is a good sign. A conclusive proof that this desire for improvement is genuine and not artificially created by an overly zealous official is that those who seek improvements pay for them, as is evident in towns where voluntary taxes have been levied, and consequently, mixed municipal councils have been established. However, it should not be overlooked that the number of Europeans and educated Egyptians is significant in these towns. I have no doubt that the desire for municipal improvements will increase there and continue. Therefore, towns whose inhabitants are like those in towns with mixed municipalities should take legislative measures – if given the authority to implement them – to overcome the enjoyment of a few individuals who oppose the will of the majority. As for other towns, where the majority, if not all, are Egyptians, and the wealthy and educated are fewer, their affairs require more attention in any case. The government should not anticipate the public opinion of its people too much. I still hold the opinion expressed in my previous reports, which is that most of the people still prefer, by a majority, not to pay local taxes.

I will now discuss what has been accomplished regarding matters related to self-government since the era of Lord Duffrin, in addition to those taxes.