PANY LIMITED
NAVIGATION COMPANY LIMITED.
S.S. Cyclops
Port Hongkoy
Date Helery 16
Mr. Puterres
Dear Sir
Leve yesterday of the very unfortunate position you are in - what seems to me to have been brought about by serious misrepresentations. I understand that one of the charges against you is, that, when discharging the denent He Alcinous under my command, on or about the 31st May 1902, you fraudulently deducted from the firemen the sum said to be owing by them to the foreman, and that you received a commission for so doing.
I may say that on the date the "Alcinous" was not in Hong Kong and I am absolutely certain that such a thing never took place at that - or any other time or moment. And see and under me I personally attend when discharging my crew, paid all that is due to them. On such occasions I have never been present when the Comprador brought the money on board the ship; each man is paid in full what is owing to him - at my table - and then leaves with his money.
In all my experience of paying off crews in Hong Kong I have never seen the slightest trouble or dissatisfaction among the firemen.
I've known and had business transactions with you for twelve years or more; you have attended to pay off my crews for the last thirteen years, and I can testify to the very able and conscientious manner you always have done the work.
I sincerely hope that this letter will be of some assistance to you in that the charges against you are entirely unfounded, and that I shall continue to have you in your position as deputy helping me.
I remain
yours faithfully for Rulfonal mentr
JB 1260-