G
H.Kong 21109
t
COMMUNICATIONS ON THIS SUBJECT
TO BE ADDREBBED TO THE
CROWN AGENTS FOR THE COLONIES,
THE ABOVE REFERENCE AND
DATE OF THIS LETTER BEING QUOTED,
Enclosures
C 0.
234
5 JA 05
WHITEHALL CARDENS,
LONDON, S. W.
4th January,
70
190.3
sir,
I have the honour to remind you that we have in our
possession a silver inkstand which was supplied to Hong Kong
in 1895 for presentation to Mr J. J. Francis Q.C. and which
was subsequently returned to us by the Colonial Government
with a view to its being sold. The best offer that we were
able to obtain for the inkstand was £10 but this was con-
sidered inadequate as it originally cost £22. 10/-.
It was
therefore decided to let the matter drop in hope of being
able to dispose of it to better advantage on a future occa-
sion. We have recently again taken the question up but the
firm will not improve on their offer, and as it would seem to
be undesirable to let the matter drift on indefinitely we
beg to ask for the Secretary of State's instructions.
copy of the correspondence is transmitted for Mr Secretary
Lyttelton's information.
I have the honour to be,
A
Under Secretary of State
&c.
&C. 80.
Colonial office.
sir,
Your obedient Servant,
R
Enclosures