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to while the Post Office launch comes alongside and is made fast, and then to proceed slowly to their anchorage while the mails are transferred.
This procedure the French Post Office is prepared to authorize as soon as the Company is ready to carry it out.
It appears that the arrangements made for next year include a stay in Hong Kong harbour of at least nine hours of day-light. The Company cannot agree to increase this minimum period to twelve hours, because in its opinion this would in certain circumstances involve a stay of nearly twenty-four hours, for which they are not prepared.
The French Post Office expresses the hope that the changes agreed to will prove its desire to lessen as far as possible the difficulties now experienced at Hong Kong; and the Postmaster General proposes to thank that Administration for its endeavours.
I am,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
Many