CO129-286 - Acting Governor Major Gen Black Governor Sir Blake & Public Offices - 1898 [11-12] — Page 209

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COPY

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No.249

sir,

SUB ENCLOSURE.

202

0.

&

Part 9 JAN 19

British Post Office.

Shanghai, 11th. November, 1898.

I beg leave to report that since my letter of

21 April,1896, No.72, asking for authority to engage a Clerk

for this office, the work of this office has increased to such

an extent that I am compelled to ask you authority to engage another clerk for this office, and also two extra hands to sort the newspapers on the arrival of the English, French and Cana- dian Malls. The Mails from Vancouver have increased from 8 to 9 bags to 28 and 25 bags respectively by the last two mails, including 11 bags for the out ports, which have to be sorted here, and I have no doubt it will continue to increase.

The settlement has also increased and the num-

ber of messengers at present is insufficient for the delivery of correspondence, and I shall be much obliged if you will au- thorise me to engage two more coolies.

The number of letters despatched by the English

and French Mails during the present year amounts to 156996

The Honourable

newspapers

A.M. THOMSON,

Postmaster General,

HONG KONG.