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him highly for such a task, and I am able to allot to the Stamp Office a small room in the Public Office Building adjoining the present Audit Office, M. Rennie will be able to superintend
the Department with the best efficiency compatible with an efficient discharge of the duty.
I have always felt it desirable on the ground of economy to combine the duties of Stamp Collector to those of an existing Head of a Department as otherwise a very large Salary would be required.
I propose that Mr. Rennie should receive provisionally and subject to Your Lordship's approval £1000 per annum from the 18th Instant, and that he at once set to work to organize the new Department, for which he will probably require a European Clerk at a salary of £100, and a second Clerk at £50, with a Chinese Clerk and a couple of Messengers - the whole probably not exceeding £1,200 per annum - perhaps capable of reduction after the first year.
By next Mail, I expect to be in a position to report in detail the arrangements contemplated. In the meantime, it becomes necessary to replace Mr. Rennie at once in the Acting...