It became necessary to recommend, without delay, this appointment of a Post Master unconnected with the Consulate, whose time and attention could be devoted wholly to Post Office business. This recommendation received the prompt approval of Your Excellency, and an Officer from the Hongkong Post Office has been sent as Post Master to Amoy, where by this time, he has no doubt assumed the duties of his Office.
The expense of the new Post Office establishments at Amoy as compared with the expenditure hitherto incurred, will be very considerable—high. £500 a year for salary of Post Master, seventy Dollars per month for Servant Rent; besides the expense of occasional Assistance, wages of Coolies, boat hire etc., total cost of about £800 or £900 a year, of which £500 will be paid by the Imperial Government - but we hope that this outlay will be justified by the extended accommodation which, under the new arrangements, will be given to the public and by the consequent increase of revenue.
At Shanghai, the duties are well performed, but too much time for an impatient public elapses in between...