CO129-317 - Governor Sir Blake - 1903 [4-6] — Page 334

269.

No

Hongkong.

Tov

sir,

13574

2.0.

329

Government Housef € JUL 031

Hongkong, 2nd. June, 1903.

I have the honour to acknowledge the re-

ceipt of your Despatch No. 148 of the 24th. April, and to inform you that I have caused Mr. Ireland to be communicated with in the sense suggested by you in the fourth paragraph

thereof.

2.

I take this opportunity of pointing out, with reference to paragraph 9 of Mr. Ireland's letter to you of the 22nd. March, that the Chief Clerk in the Colonial Secretary's Office had nothing whatever to do with the drafting of the letters from the Colonial Secretary to Mr. Ireland. The Chief Clerk's initials are appended to letters merely as

a guarantee that the original drafts have been accurately copied and are ready for signature.

I have the honour to be,

sir,

Your most obedient

Humble servant,

Sung Alähe

Governor,

&C ..

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN, M.P.,

&C - 1

Ecc ..

&C...

Pas