I
Ser. No. 4516
18 Grosvenor Road, Westminster, S.W.
February 19th, 1896.
I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 2589/96, dated February 16th, and to reply that I accept the conditions offered to me by the Secretary, Mr. Chamberlain, for one year's extension of service. I further beg to inform you that my passage had already been taken a month ago by the P. & O. Steamer "Britannia", leaving London March 24th, due in Hong Kong April 18th. The mail being thus arranged, I shall proceed by that mail.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
Ph. B. C. Ayres,
Colonial Surgeon & Inspector of Hospitals,
Hong Kong.
The Under Secretary of State,
G. B.
Certified true copy.