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Under the existing regulations I can only grant them passages to Hongkong by special application and report explaining the grounds etc., in accordance with Paragraph 5 Chapter XVI of Consular regulations; during the last quarter. I have in the case of one family, followed those instructions, but as the applicants for similar relief are now from two to five a day, to investigate claims, and report them individually to Your Lordship, will entail work on this Consulate which will in my opinion seriously interfere with the very important business of the compensation claims of Merchants etc. which now occupies me for many hours every day, and frequently obliges me to visit His Excellency the Governor General and the different Government Departments to discuss the details of the complaints.
I have two excellent clerks who are constantly employed, and Mr. Vice Consul Ramsden returns very shortly, but the work is daily increasing and the expense of everything from House Rent to provisions and servants is exactly treble what it was last year, under these circumstances if your Lordship would take into your favourable consideration this request, I should feel much obliged.
(Signed)
I have, &c.,
S.H. Harford.
His Britannic Majesty's Consul.