84 



Woodlands, Keymer, 



Dated 14th November, 1877. 



To F. D. MELVILL, Esq., Acting Commissioner in Bind. 



Sir, I have the honour to acknowledge, with many 

 thanks, the receipt of yours, No. 4,099, dated 15th ult., in 

 the Revenue Department, wherein you express disapproval 

 of the course I have pursued for the introduction into the 

 home market of certain fibres indigenous to Sind, and 

 suggest what appears to you the correct procedure to be 

 observed. 



2. In reply, I beg respectfully to state that the steps I 

 have hitherto taken for the development of the new source 

 of revenue under notice, have so to speak been at the re- 

 quest of your predecessor, and in accordance with the wishes 

 expressed by him. In applying, therefore, direct to your 

 administration for a sample consignment of dried Uk stalks 

 and SUT fibre, you will perceive I was authorized to do so. 

 My second letter, offering to pay for the sample of dried 

 Uk stalks, will have indicated the uncertainty I felt as to 

 the light in which you might accept my requisition, and 

 as matters have turned out it is fortunate I took the 

 precautionary step, for I am quite satisfied of the import- 

 ance and feasibility of the industry I desire to float for the 

 benefit of Government, and am prepared, at all hazards, 

 to carry through my project, though the cost of founding 

 the trade devolves on me provided, of course, I receive the 

 hearty co-operation of the authorities, and which I have 

 every reason to hope will not be withheld. 



The sample consignment of Uk alluded to in the 2nd 

 paragraph of your letter under reply but which only came 

 to hand last January may be regarded as the embryo of 

 the business I hope ultimately to create. By means of 

 that sample, I was able to ascertain the true commercial 

 value of the fibre, and I have the authority of the principal 



