From the book: A Documentary History of Indian South Africans edited by Surendra Bhana and Bridglal Pachai
M. R. K. Sastrie, who was working as an interpreter Assistant Protector of Labour and Indian Immigration, wrote to the Protector in Natal on 7 November 1903 to enquire if his services could be employed in the Colony. Source: I.I.61/123, 2693/03 Natal Archives.
M. R. K. Sastrie, interpreter to Assistant Protector of Labour and Indian Immigration Agent, Negri Sembilan, beg to bring the following to your kind perusal and favourable consideration hoping to meet with success.
I beg to state that I am an Indian, Brahmin, aged 24, and conversant with Tamil, Telugu, Malay, English, and a little Hindustani languages.
I beg to state that I have got an experience of nearly four years in the clerical and account branch and now I am the interpreter-and clerk to the A.P. of L. and I.I Agent, here.
I have had no reason to be blamed either with regard to my business capacity or my general conduct, by my superiors during my services under European officers for the last 7 yrs.
I beg to state further, that I know shorthand and typewriting, the latter can prove by the application itself as it is in my own hand.
As for any testimonials, I can send copies, if called for at any time.
As I long to get a job in your department there, I shall feel highly obliged if you will be kind enough to let me know whether you can provide me a job under you on a decent salary, which I shall thank you for.