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under the Lagos Government in March 1899, and since
then I have called on several occasions at the
office of the Crown Agents for the Colonies with
a view to obtaining an appointment in Hong Kong,
but did not hear of any suitable vacancy.
An advertisement appeared in a technical journal
last month inviting applications for the post of
an Executive Engineer in the Public Works Department
of Hong Kong, to which I responded.
..
The Crown Agents for the Colonies were good
enough to wire the Hong Kong Government on my be-
half with regard to this subject, and received a
reply to the effect that my appointment to that
post (for which one might with some reason assume
I am peculiarly fitted) would not be agreeable.
It is my desire to return to the Colony, and
consistent with the spirit of the regulation re-
specting a return passage, I beg to ask if you will
be so good to grant me a passage to Hong Kong.
I append particulars relating to my technical
training, from which you will gather my time has
been spent profitably.
Trusting this request will receive your favour-
able consideration.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
Frederick Southey.
Assoc. Mem. Inst. C.E.