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price of gum arabic in consequence of the scarcity of this article since the troubles in the Soudan. We have had similar complaints from other Colonies, not only as regards the gumming of envelopes but also as to postage stamps which we obtain from a different firm, and we have very little doubt that adhesives of inferior character have been added to the gum arabic. We have most strongly impressed on the firms concerned that whatever adhesive is used must be of such a quality as to obviate complaints of this nature.
6. We have to express our acknowledgments to the Governor of Hong Kong for giving us the means of investigating these complaints.