by some person in the Consulate not alone -during office hours - steamers arrive at all hours and a mail may have to be distributed at 6 or 10 p.m.
I should be glad if the Hong Kong Government could make some small allowance for the performance of this service at Fientein. As it is the greater part of the work falls on the Consular Constable and Office messengers. The Constable Henry Flomans is a man well qualified to be put in charge of the mails which are received from the English post office, and if the distribution of mails was a recognized part of his duty, for which he received pay, I am sure the work would be very satisfactorily performed.
I think ten dollars a month for the Constable with a dollar each for the two messengers would be sufficient, and would be gladly accepted by them. If the Hong Kong Government could make this grant I would, so long as I remain here, see that the incoming mails are properly dealt with.
I have to...
[illegible] Peggrove forwarded...
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extra work has to be done
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