A
(as expressed in his letter of 8th April, copy of which accompanied your 6135/80 of 12th April last) in preferring the P. & O. Co's tender no. 1, which is also desired by the Governments of Ceylon & Hongkong; his Lordship thinks therefore that it is impossible to meet the wishes of Straits for tender no. 2 of the same Company.
I am to add that Lord Stanville is not favourable generally to Contracts for long periods, but the saving in this case is no less than £25,000 a year, and his Lordship concurs in the recommendations of the Col. Govt. in this service for ten years.
Page 518