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Governor for the handsome way which you kindly placed your gratuitous services as a member of the Board of Chinese studies at his predecessor's disposal.
"In your letter you say:- "Since sending in my report for the year 1876 I received no other indication from the government regarding its views of my labours except the statement referred to in despatch No 501 to the effect that His Excellency the Governor had explained to me that my operations should proceed as usual.
I am to point out that your report was received by the Government on the 7th of February 1877; that His Excellency Governor Kennedy was making arrangements to leave the Colony on the 1st of March; and that it was not a moment for the Government to decide hastily whether the practical failure of the scheme, as shown by your report, should lead to its immediate abandonment or not.
In the following month, His Excellency Mr. Administrator Austin made the following minute on your report :-
"This report shows that Officers serving departmental duties...