No. 326.
Sir,
Enclosure No. 4 to Despatch No. 32 of the 19th February, 1903,
C.C. 11723 240
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hong Kong, 17th February, 1902.
I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 25th ultimo relative to the discharge of certain accounts for telegrams, and to inform you that the matter has been referred to the Secretary of State for the Colonies for his consideration and instructions.
2. I am to add that if the Secretary of State decides that the cost of telegrams sent by you to this Government should be met from Secret Service Funds, it will still be impossible for this Government to authorise such disbursement in connection with certain telegrams addressed by you to the Commodore and Vice-Admiral, some of which appear in the account transmitted by you under cover of your letter of the 10th ultimo. This Government is not aware, officially or unofficially, of any such telegrams having been sent by you or received by the Naval Authorities, and I am to suggest that perhaps your best course would be to apply for payment to the persons or the Department concerned.
I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant,
(Sgd.) J. B. Stewart Lockhart, Colonial Secretary.