of Commerce.
0.8. N. Ca., Shanghai, 30th Jan., 1888, Smm,—Referring to my reply of the 28th instant to your communication on the subject of the intended dates of departure, during the South West monsoon, of the Company's steamers conveying the Homeward mails. I beg to inform you that the answer to my telegraphic request for the information desired stated, that commencing on Ist May next, Tuesday at daylight is the time fixed for their despatch, 1 presume you will make this information public and that it is therefore unnecessary for me to do so.
Tam, Sir, Your obedient servant, H. H, Joseen, Avent, E. H. Lavexs, a Chairman, Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce.
Peninsular and Oriental 8.N. Ca., Shanghai, 31st January, 1888, S1n,—T beg to draw your attention to an article which appears in the North-China Daily News of this date denouncing in strong terms the time fixed for the departure of the Company's steamers, conveying the homeward mails, during the South-west monsoon. I shall be obliged by your informing me whether the Chamber of Commence concurs in the opinion expressed by the writer of this article as to the incon-nce to the public of the arrangement referred to.
You are doubtless aware that in preparing their annual Time Table the Directors of this Company have to be guided by the conditions of the mail contract and by certain instructions, as to the time of departure from and arrival at terminal ports, emanating from Her Majesty's Postmaster General therefore desirable that any representation against the aay fixed for the closing of the mails at this port should be addressed by the representatives of the community to that functionary. Should the Chamiber see fit to make such a representation it will give me much pleasure to forward it through the Directors of this Company, with a request that their utmost endeavours may be used to further the almost needless for me to add wil meet views it ex 4 & request which it is
with their prompt attention, as they have on previous occasions given' proof of their lines to do anything in their power to meet the wishes expressed by this community as to the time of despatch of the Company's steamers; a circumstance which I venture to hope the Chamber may consider should have been a protection to the Directors from the uncalled for attack made on them in the North-China Daily News, Tmay add that, considered desirable to communicate by telegraph with London on the subject I shall be happy to use the means at my disposal for facilitating this object. I beg to request that this letter may be made public as soon as convenient in order that the community may be assured that, in accordance with the wishes of the Directors of this Company, their views on all subjects connected with its administration, conveyed through a recognised channel, will meet with prompt attention on my part, Tam, Sir, Your obedient servant, B. H. Jostrn, Agent.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.