Hongkong;
Government House,
10th January, 1900.
Sir,
In reply to the second paragraph of your despatch No.262 of the 23rd November, I have the honour to inform you that the agreement of June, 1888, has been definitely cancelled by the contract of 25th May, 1897, section 21.
2. According to the present arrangement, which was substituted for that existing before May, 1897, the mails for Bombay are now conveyed by an all-sea route by Peninsular and Oriental Steamers. Mails for other parts of India are transhipped at Colombo, and from thence are conveyed by British India steamers. The latter are subsidised by the Government of India, though this Colony pays its share of the sea-transit.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient humble Servant,
Governor, &c.
To
The Right Honourable
Joseph Chamberlain, M.P.,
&c. &c. &c.