2
The Colonial Postmaster General states that four
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persons (2 sorters and 2 stampers) are now required to deal
with the Hong Kong and China mails on board the Packets,
and asks that the matter may be arranged with the Steamship
Company. The Postmaster General is willing to approach
the Company on the subject; but he desires to point out
the improbability that they will agree to carry four persons,
instead of the one contemplated in the contract, without
an increased subsidy. Such increase would no doubt have to
be met out of the Colonial revenue, as the expense is not
such as could properly be borne by this Department. On
the other hand,to draw the attention of the Peninsular
and Oriental Company to the seasorting arrangements without
coming to a definite agreement with them would be to run
the risk of a withdrawal of the advantages, which the Hong
Kong Post Office now enjoys beyond what is stipulated
for in the Contract and probably also of the similar
advantages which are said to be enjoyed by the Post Office
of the Straits Settlements.
I am to ask that the Secretary of State will be
good