That it is Lordship has approved the Estimates, and as my salary is therein stated at $3,600 I should be allowed to draw that amount.
The cost of House-rent, servants etc. is so excessive that $2,500 is really not sufficient for a responsible Officer to keep up appearances. I have been led to expect this increase, and since the return of the approved Estimates have contracted debts in anticipation of receiving the said increase and arrears - which can only be paid out of my present salary day by day.
As I have a wife and two children, this will cause me very serious inconvenience. May I therefore beg of His Lordship to confirm his approval of the Estimates, and direct my salary to be paid in accordance therewith, as the matter is one of very serious moment to me.
I venture to trust His Lordship will reply by telegram. I may mention that Sir Wm. Des Vaux is in England on leave, and I had to go to Japan through...