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office, such merchant to be persona grata to the Hong Kong
Government and not to be an official, and the title of the
post to be "Commercial Agent in charge of the Chinese
Telegraph Office in Hong Kong".
3.
If the Canton Government so desires, I am now
prepared without further delay to put this arrangement into
effect.
The Chinese title of the post will be as follows:-
管理駐港中國電報局商務縂办
The merchant appointed to fill the post must be persona grata
to the Hong Kong Government, as also must be his successors
in office from time to time.
4-.
If this arrangement is to be made, I shall be
glad to learn as soon as possible whom the Canton Government
proposes to nominate for this appointment and when he may be
expected to arrive in Hong Kong. Directly the Hong Kong and
Canton Government have agreed on the nominee for this office,
I shall be prepared to inform Mr. Lau that I cannot permit
him to function any longer in Hong Kong as Superintendent
and on the same day as I make this notification I will instal
the new nominee as "Commercial Agent", giving him such
protection by the Hong Kong Police as may be necessary.
It is, of course, essential that the Canton
5.
Government should preserve secrecy in this matter until the
day for action arrives, as otherwise Mr. Lau might, while still
in occupation, injure the plant or abscond with the funds of
his office. I mention this point, as I notice that an
incorrect account of what is proposed to be done has already
found its way into the Canton vernacular press and has thence been copied by the Hong Kong vernacular newspaper.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
W. 1. Clemente
Governor, &c.