THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 2ND MAY, 1891.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.-No. 214. The following Correspondence is published for general information.
383
By Command,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 2nd May, 1891.
W. M. DEANE, Acting Colonial Secretary.
COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE,
HONGKONG, 2nd May, 1891.
SIR,-As there appears to exist a considerable amount of misapprehension as to the increases proposed to be made to the salaries of Civil Servants, I append a table which was drawn up on the completion of the Estimates for this year.
The so-called increase of 35 °。 is arrived at in this manner.
о
The salaries of the principal Officers and Senior Clerks were fixed in sterling by Ordinance No..
13 of 1860.
By a Proclamation dating as far back as 1845 the rate at which sterling was to be paid was fixed at 4/2. (Incidentally I may mention that during all this period the market value of the dollar was generally 4/6 and over.)
Now taking as an example a salary in the above list fixed at £800, this at 4/2 is equal to $3,840. At the time that the recommendation for the general increase of salaries was made the value of the dollar was about 3/1. £800 at 3/1 is equal to $5,189. Thirty-five per cent. on $3,840 is $1,344. The two added together amount to $5 a year less than the sterling pay at the rate of exchange of the day.
It is also to be observed that several modifications and restrictions have been made, the result of which is that few Officers obtain the full value of the proposed increment. A difference based probably on the expense of
passages to and from England is made between Officers who come from there, and 'Officers in the service who are of local habitation--the latter only receive 20 % increase, and have to pay 4 to a Widows and Orphans Fund.
Another important element is that the increase is based on salaries as they existed in 1875-and any increases since then have to be taken into account to reduce the final balance.
In conclusion, what the Civil Service practically obtains is what has been granted to the sister services: Navy, Army and Consular, viz., that their salaries shall be paid at approximate rate of exchange for the day instead of at the arbitrary rate of 4/2.
His Excellency
THE GOVERNOR.
AS
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
W. M. DEANE,
Acting Colonial Secretary.
Minute by the Governor.
COLONIAL SECRETARY.
I have no time to verify all the facts adduced; but at the same time it is clear to me that this letter contains matter deserving of the consideration of the Community and I therefore authorise its publication.
G. WILLIAM DES VEUX,
2.5.91.