3. The only expenses of management would be, (1) the London office, which ought to be as near the General Post Office as possible; and (2) some small payment to Postmasters upon each deposit. In large towns, it may in time be necessary to employ an additional clerk in the Post Office, but in these cases the payment on each deposit would suffice to enable the Postmaster to keep such clerk. 4. It would not interfere with the existing Savings Banks,--leaving it to the public to adopt either the old or the new system as they please. By this means the old system would probably be superseded by slow degrees, and without hardship or inconvenience to any one. GEO. HANS HAMILTON. [161] Like Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Bullar has subsequently proposed a plan for giving increased facilities in one direction to depositors, which will be referred to at the proper place. [162] _Letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer_, 1859. [163] Mr. Rowland Hill to Mr. Baines, M.P., 2d August, 1859. "MY DEAR SIR,--With modifications which could readily be introduced, Mr. Sikes's plan is, in my opinion, practicable so far as the Post Office is concerned. "The plan also appears to me to be practicable in its other parts; but on these I would suggest the expediency of taking the opinion of some one thoroughly conversant with ordinary banking business, and who is acquainted also with Savings Banks. "I need not add, that if carried into effect, the plan would in my opinion prove highly useful to the public, and in some degree advantageous to the revenue. "I shall be most happy, when the time arrives for doing so, to submit it for the approval of the Postmaster-General. "Faithfully yours, "ROWLAND HILL." [164] Mr. Gladstone to Mr. Sikes, 30th November, 1859. "DEAR SIR,--I have read with much interest your tract on Post Office Savings Banks, and have discussed the subject with Sir A. Spearman, who has also had some communication with the Post Office authorities. "The difficulties are very serious, chiefly in connexion with the question of interest and the mode of account for it. "At the same time there is so much of promise in the plan on the face of it, that we are unwilling to let it drop without a most careful examination.