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he Government of longkong to the Tientsin Chamber of Commerce.
Colonial Secretary's Office
21 September, 1907,
sir,
With referenca to your telogram of Sept. Ilth and subsequent telegraphic correspondence relative to the decision of this Boverment to close the Post Office at Tientsin, I am directed to confim the fovernor's telegram of the 12th instent in which you were informed that the cost to this fovemment by the maintenance of the Tientsin Fost Office is estimated at $7,500. per annur for the coming year, and that His Excellency could only consent to continue the conduct of this Branch Office if your Chamber vore ready to defray this loss.
2. I on further to explain to you that when the receipts of the Tientsin Post Office together with the proposed contri- bution from your Chacher are credited to the Revenue of this Polony, they become liable to a deduction of twenty per cant like all other revenue of the Colony on account of the Imperial "ili- tary charges. It would therefore be necessary in this case for you to pay a contribution of $10,574. if the Revenue of Hongkong ware to be at no loss at all in respect of the Tientsin Post Office.
3.
In view, however, of the short notice that this over- ment has been able to give you of the closing of the Office, tho Rovernor decided to forego the additional sum that might properly have been required of your Chamber, and thus to meet as far as possible your desire to keep the Office open for one year moro.
4.
I am to ask you that your decision in the matter of paying the contribution asked for may be communicatod to me as soon as possible, as the Imperial Post Office must be informað of the final settlement of the question before the first of Oc- tober.
I am etc.,
(Signed)
P.H.MAY.
Colonial Secretary.
The Secretary of the Tientsin Chamber of Commerce
TI 3 TSIN.