Extract from a Despatch from Secretary of State to Governor, Hongkong.
HONGKONG.
No. 72.
SIR,
DOWNING STREET,
4th April, 1891.
"In continuation of my Despatch No. 71 of the 3rd instant, I have the honour to add the following observations in regard to certain points raised by Mr. FLEMING'S despatch No. 438 of 15th December last.
2. In reply to the 4th paragraph of Mr. FLEMING'S despatch, I have to explain that it was not my intention that the privilege of making Family Remittances above the Market rate of Exchange should be withdrawn except in cases where the increase of salary now granted will more than cover the loss which would be caused by the withdrawal of this privilege. I am willing to allow those who will receive less than twenty per cent. increase on their 1890 salaries, to retain the privilege, but I adhere to the decision that it should be withdrawn in the case of those Officers who are receiving as much as twenty per cent. increase. Those who retain the privilege under this ruling will apparently be Sir J. RUSSELL, Dr. AYRES, and Messrs. ALVES, MCLEOD, RAE, GRIMBLE, Travers, Sangster, BALL, FORD, DEANE, HORSPOOL, CRADOCK, MATHESON, CORCORAN, SWANSTON and BREMNER. I request you to send home as soon as possible, for the guidance of the Crown Agents, a revised Schedule of the Officers accordingly entitled to remit, to be substituted for the Schedule forwarded in your despatch No. 6 of 15th January last.”
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I have the honour to be,
Sir,
-Your most obedient,
humble Servant,
(Signed),
KNUTSFORD.
&c.,
&c.
Governor Sir G. W. DES Vœux, K.C.M.G.,
HONGKONG. No. 91.
&c.,
Secretary of State to Governor, Hongkong.
DOWNING STREET,
7th May, 1891.
SIR,
With reference to the telegraphic correspondence noted in the margin relative to the increase of salaries in the Hongkong Civil Service, I have the honour to inform you that I received a telegram from Mr. RYRIE on the 24th ultimo in the following words :--"Unofficial Members Council dissatisfied with financial position and prospects request postpone increase salaries further consideration required preparing memorial Governor declines forward telegram."
I gather from the proceedings in the Legislative Council as reported in the mail supplement to the Hongkong Daily Press of 25th March last, that the sug- gestion to reconsider the question of paying the increased Salaries was made "in consequence of the enhanced Military Contribution still demanded by the Imperial Government."
Tel. from Gov. 25 April. Tel. to Gov. 2 May. Tel, from Gov. 6 May.