CO129-330 - Public Offices - 1905 — Page 72

G

H.Kong 21109

t

COMMUNICATIONS ON THIS SUBJECT

TO BE ADDREBBED TO THE

CROWN AGENTS FOR THE COLONIES,

THE ABOVE REFERENCE AND

DATE OF THIS LETTER BEING QUOTED,

Enclosures

C 0.

234

5 JA 05

WHITEHALL CARDENS,

LONDON, S. W.

4th January,

70

190.3

sir,

I have the honour to remind you that we have in our

possession a silver inkstand which was supplied to Hong Kong

in 1895 for presentation to Mr J. J. Francis Q.C. and which

was subsequently returned to us by the Colonial Government

with a view to its being sold. The best offer that we were

able to obtain for the inkstand was £10 but this was con-

sidered inadequate as it originally cost £22. 10/-.

It was

therefore decided to let the matter drop in hope of being

able to dispose of it to better advantage on a future occa-

sion. We have recently again taken the question up but the

firm will not improve on their offer, and as it would seem to

be undesirable to let the matter drift on indefinitely we

beg to ask for the Secretary of State's instructions.

copy of the correspondence is transmitted for Mr Secretary

Lyttelton's information.

I have the honour to be,

A

Under Secretary of State

&c.

&C. 80.

Colonial office.

sir,

Your obedient Servant,

R

Enclosures