339
This course is better than the only alterna-
tive of sending an officer from Hong-Kong to act for the ab-
sent Postmaster, for the Senior Clerk would know the local con-
ditions and the intricacies of the various currencies at Shang-
hai which make Money Order work there complicated.
I am further of opinion that the salary of the
Postmaster at Shanghai combined with the privilege of free
quarters compares favourably with the salaries of officers in
1
more responsible positions in Hong-Kong, and I see no necessity
for increasing it to more than $3,000 per annum which seems
to me ample.
On the other hand the additional $600 per annum
which you are prepared to sanction will, if added to the salary
of the Senior Clerk, probably attract a competent officer to
the post and I have accordingly to recommend that the sum be
devoted to that purpose.
I shall report in due course what success has
attended the endeavour to obtain a suitable Senior Clerk,
10. I take this opportunity of reporting that
to meet the increased requirements of the delivery of letters
at Shanghai owing to the growth of the Settlement, the Post-
master there has been authorised to engage 4 additional post- men at $96 per annum each, there being funds available for the
purpose for the current year.
I have the honour to be,
sir,
Your most obedient
Humble Servant,
GOVERNOR,&C.