CO129-297 - Governor Sir Blake - 1900 [1-3] — Page 545

No.

84.

Copy

C.O.

11968

ECO REC APR

Government House.

Hong-Kong, 9th March, 1900.

542

@

9442.

79.

0.0

16382

21463

да

sir,

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt

of your despatch No.31 of 2nd. February with reference to the

appointment of additional Clerks and Stampers on the Marine

Staff.

2. In forwarding to you as enclosures in my

despatches No.122 of 26th May, 1899, and 179 of 12th. July, 1899,

the very full statements of the Postmaster General, I submitted

to you all the information at my disposal on the subject of

the increase of the staff.

3. With reference to the third paragraph of

your despatch, I can give no further assurance than the state-

ment put forward by the head of the department, who is at pre-

sent in England.Nor can I foresee what the necessities of the

Post Office as to possible further increase of staff may be

in future. As Captain Hastings is at present on his way to

England he will be able to satisfy you on these points. In the

meantime I shall take no action in the matter.

The Right Honourable

I have the honour to be,

sir,

JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN,M.P.

800.1

Bec.,

800.

Your most obedient humble servant,

Stewry Alabe

GOVERNOR, &C.