I have caused Dymond to be informed that if an affiliation Order ultimately is made against him, he will be required to comply with it so long as he remains in the Hong Kong Service.
The Crown Agents have provided him with a passage to Hong Kong by the Steam Ship "Dryfesdale" on the 30th instant at a cost of $31.10.0.
The consequence of all this is that a small loss will fall on the Colony. The passages for the seven Constables had been taken in the Steam Ship "Bothwell" on specially favourable terms and on the cancellation of Dymond's passage at the last moment, the Owners stated that owing to the expenses they had been put to in laying in victuals &c for him they could not accept less than half passage money, namely ten guineas, which amount the Crown Agents have been authorised to pay from Hongkong funds.
The charge does not appear to be unfair in view of the cheap rate at which the passages of the other six constables were secured. I may add that if the passages had been taken by one of the mail steamers at ordinary rates, although no charge might have been incurred by a change of steamer, the total cost to the Colony would have been greater than it will actually be.
I have, &c.