H.M. Consul General Hankow to Sir R. Satow.
Hankow, 18th January, 1906.
In accordance with your Circular of 10th January inquiring as to the status of the British Postal Agency at this port, I have the honour to report that the Post Office is part of and attached to the Consulate and communicates by a door with the Assistant's office.
For many years the agency was managed by the Consular constable, Mr. Theo Stephens, by whom it was handed over on his retiring in 1893 to his successor Mr. Halone but given first to Mr. Wilton and in December 1894 to Mr. E.F. Allan, Consular Assistant. When in 1896 Mr. Allan was removed, Mr. Carles gave the work to Miss A. Malone, daughter of the present Consular constable, who was ultimately appointed agent. Last June Miss Malone was attacked by hip disease and compelled to take to her bed.
Her father, Mr. Halone, took over the actual management in July last and tried with his daughter's help to carry on the office, Mr. Savage and Mr. Fletcher giving what aid they could find time for.
The Post Office work includes constant correspondence for which Mr. Halone was not well fitted and at the end of October last, Miss Malone having no prospect of quick restoration to health, resigned the agency.
I had then to address the enclosed letter to the Postmaster General at Hongkong; Mr. W.J.B. Fletcher was appointed postal agent from 1st November 1905 and still holds the position.
Page 292
Inclo. in ir 3. Satow's No. of February 28th, 1906.
Rest 7 MAY 06,
LAPR 21 1906.