completed, and that they will not be ready to receive cargo under such circumstances, until the end of March!
We have to earnestly request the good offices of the Marquess of RIPON with the Hong Kong authorities, to obtain their sanction by telegraph that provisional permission to store oil in the tanks may be granted, although the roofing is not actually completed by the steamer's arrival in Hong Kong. It may well be pointed out to the Governor that at the time the steamer would get there the temperature would be very little higher than it is in this Country, where roofing is deemed unnecessary.
We trust you will be able to obtain us this sanction, and confirming our willingness to pay for any telegram you may send on this subject,
We have the honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient servants