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From Lamb to MacDougall of the 14th June: We certainly welcome the idea of having one of your young men here, and Minnitt sounds the sort of person we want, with his wife and family. Housing is how- ever our constant problem, and we are pretty hard put to it even now to provide accommodation for our permanent staff, We may, however, expect a little relief later on, if a building plan on a limited scale which we have just put up is approved, but even if it receives official blessing it may be some time before the projected houses can be ready for occupation, We shall probably know more definitely what the prospects are by the time the Colonial Office pass judgement on your proposal, By then too there may be a little easing in the difficulty of finding rentable premises in the town, though I don't see very much chance of this myself or of rents coming down from the average of at least £100 per month for very moderate accommodation, It seems to me therefore that it might be a workable alternative if Minnitt, should his appointment be confirmed, started off with six months or so in Canton (on the assumption that adequate residence for himself and family could be obtained there, which I think is in fact the case) and then come on to Nanking (by which time maybe there would be a better chance of finding somewhere to live) and his place in Canton be filled by another candidate who may by then be available. "
From MacDougall to lamb of the 11th July: "Incidentally I am hung up on arrangements regarding the possible secondment of Miinnitt pending the green light from the C.0; you will remember that I wrote them some time ago asking whether we might begin direct correspondence with you to get things fixed up. If I do not hear from London in a month or so I think I will take the matter as read and go ahead. offhand, I consider your suggestion that innitt might go first to Canton for about six months admirable; I will certainly support this very strongly to Grantham when he arrives and not only because it might help with the housing situation but also six months under Hall in Canton would be a very valuable experience for one of our chaps.
2. I have informed MacDougall in reply to this most recent communication that as the proposition is now likely to be advanced a further and more definite stage, I am seeking Hall's views in principle and regarding the details of available accommodation etc.
(Yours ever,)
(Leo H. Lamb)