some allowance, which had been withdrawn, might be continued ; -
"I brought the request under the consideration of the Directors of the Company, and I am now informed by them that, so long as the existing arrangement under which they are relieved from the obligation of carrying Working officers in the Hongkong Shanghai packets continues in force, they are willing to make the allowance asked for, it being understood that the total charge will not exceed about £100 per annum".
The above seems to give a permanent settlement to the question, which I think can only have been opened again under some misapprehension.
The account in question will, as requested, be closed over for the present.
Thanking you for what has doubtless been your favourable intervention in the matter, and requesting that the attention of the Directors may be called to the above extract, if it has not substantially been already laid before them.
I have &c.
(Signed) Alfred Lister
Postmaster General