1 Cacklepark Terrace,
Exmouth, Devon
27th February, 1897
Referring to your letters under date of 20th Nov. 1896 and 19th Jan. 1897, and numbered 23669/96 and 2437/1/96 I notice that in the latter you say that other arrangements are in contemplation and I would therefore beg most respectfully to request that, should final arrangements in the matter not have been completed, my application for the appointment of Inspector of Schools in Hongkong may be again considered.
I would urge that my long service in the Colony gives me considerable seniority over any others who may apply for the position.
I draw attention to my exceptional acquaintance with the Chinese language in its Cantonese form, it having been almost as familiar to me as native tongue for the greater part of my life.
[To:] The Under Secretary of State, for the Colonies