Shanghai, 27th May, 1897.
Sr,—I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 20th instant, informing the Council that the Chamber of Commerce has made an agreement with Mr. J. de Rijke to survey and report upon the River Approaches to Shanghai, and that Mr. de Rijke's fee for this work will be G. $5,000, of which you request the Council to pay its moiety.
n reply, I have to state that the Council will be glad to forward on its cheque for $2,500 on account of this work, at whatever time it may be required to make payment thereof to Mr. de Rijke.
Thave the honour to be, Your obedient servant, R. BURKILL, Arror, Esq, Chairman, Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.