the Mails from Hong Kong, this all important object might, visibly suffer in bottlenecks. The additional stop to the Straits Settlements, consequent on the adoption of imperfect arrangements, requires comment, and to practically obviate a very considerable acceleration of the communication, is evident. This is evident from the plain fact, that the average interval which has elapsed in the transmission of letters from China, by the last Twenty Overland Mails, forerunners of the contemplated Monthly mail from Britain (not occasionally expedited by fast sailing duties, in accomplishing the voyage, via the Cape of Good Hope).
Council Chamber, 28th February, 1883.
Henry
John Wise.
Table A.
Homeward Overland Mails.
Table exhibiting the latest dates from Bombay, Madras, Calcutta, Singapore, and the duration of transit of letters from thence to England: 1842-43. Bombay Madras Calcutta Latest Date Days from Bombay Days from Madras Days from Calcutta 22 December 24 74 19 January 27 48 7 March 37 67 23 March 24 45 3 April 37 29 22 24 April 22 43 7 May 48 25 October 74 75 23 November 75 21 August 45 21 12 April 114 99 23 March 42 18 19 January 27 7 August 47 17 April 38 35 22 August 39 2 November 54 15 May 56 0 July 20 47 20 October 46 48 27 April 74q 24 July ba 26 October 195 24 December 48 72 23 November 44 2 January 48 23 49 22 February 44 20 March 44 37 45 23 February 71 3 April 53 2 June 1944p 23 April 43 30 May 47 49 18 May 76 For voyage - Put into 145 from Ceylon. Conson with Sept Chemi 25 100Page 381