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the honour of an Interview. I propose to recommend as follows:-
The Japanese are, I am aware, leaving nothing undone to procure the suppression of British Officers in Japan, and, if I may so far express my opinion, I imagine they must eventually succeed. Should they do so, how to dispose of our Post Office and Postmaster, at Yokohama would become a question to be solved by this Colony.
It appears to me that the Postmaster, Mr. F. G. Machado, who is a careful and experienced Officer, might be provided for at Shanghai, and for that purpose I should propose to keep the post open, the duties being conducted by the Head Clerk, Mr. G. S. da Silva, with such assistance as it may be necessary to give him. Mr. da Silva is quite capable of managing the Office.
In making the above recommendation I do not propose to overlook the just claims of Mr. Barff, Assistant Postmaster General here. Mr. Barff is not, however, particularly anxious to go to Shanghai, and in any case is not able to go there before the Autumn, so that to relieve...