CO129-081 - Sir Robinson - 1861 [4-7] — Page 491

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matter,

I

port

you notify

one and all at

that it will be necessary

the community of your

outu

ask leave tä

suggest

that

chert

Rend to the

Ading

Tostierster

Jeneral

here the

the

Agents

in

Hongkong

A o

whom their letters

are

to be delivered.

I have

كلاة

(Rignes) W. 9. Mercer

II. Meadour logro

N. B. M. lanoul

Colonial Secretary

Shanghere.

Dir,

Shanghon, 19th April, 1881.

British leons ulată,

Post Office arrangsimenti of the 30th ultime respecting

thes dese receipt of your despatch M:196

I have the honor to acknowledge

the

at this port

From the enclosed leonsular

~

Nolification

2:85

THOS. TAYLOR MEADOWs, H. B. M's Consul.

BRITISH CONSULAR NOTIFICATION.-The greatly increased duties incumbent on and prover to H. M.'s Consulate, and the very greatly increased and increasing amount of

the Post-office labors performed at it,-consequent not merely on the increase of the Shangliae community but also on the opening of the Japanese, the Northern Chinese and the Western Chinese ports and on the recent Post-office regulation requiring prepayment of letters-these, with other circumstances, have compelled the undersigned to choose between leaving undone, to the serious inconvenience of H. M.'s subjects, a large portion of the work proper to the Consulate and which can only be done by it, or of severing the connection between this Consulate and all postal labors: which can be performed, unofficially and probably with not less efficiency, by mercantile and shipping establishments.

withdrawn.

The undersigned therefore notifies hereby that the permission which has hitherto been given to the Senior Consular Assistant to perform postal duties is He will from this date altogether cease forwarding letters from this place; and, after the distribution of the next incoming English mail, will cease receiving and distributing letters for this place.

The undersigned having communicated to the Hongkong Authorities the necessity for his taking this step, has received a reply from the Colonial Secretary, the closing portion of which, as contained in the subjoined extract, he recom.nends to the careful attention of the British and foreign community.

British Consulate, Shanghae, 12th April, 1861.

FXTRACT from a despatch from Colonial Secretary Mercer to Consul Meadows dated 30th March, 1861.

THOS. TAYLOR MEADOWS, II. B. M.'s Consul,

"Should you unfortunately be unable to alter your decision in this matter, I ask leave to suggest that you notify the community of your port that it will be necessary that one and all at once send to the Acting Post Master General here the names of Agents in Hongkong to whom their lett rs are to be delivered." (Signed)

BRITISH CONSULAR NOTIFICATION. The following Consular arrangements are notified for the information and convenience of II. M.'s subjects.

W. T. MERCER.

The nomination of C. Treasure Jones, Esq., as Acting Vice- Consul, having been confirmed by II. M.'s Euvoy and Chief Superintendent of Trade, he is now charged with all the usual duties of the Vice-Consul.

In consequence of the removal of H. M.'s Legation to Peking, the Consular buildings have reverted to their original uses, and the Consul's Office, the Court room, and the Judicial Office are now again in the chief building, in front of which stands the Consulate flag staff.

The Circular of the undersigned of the 8th February last is, in so far as it placed certain functions of this Consulate in abeyance, hereby cancell d.

British Consulate, Shanghae, 12th April, 1801.

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