HONGKONG. No. 328.
( 3 )
(Secretary of State to Governor.)
DOWNING STREET,
131
SIR,
16th December, 1898.
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Major-General BLACK's des- patch No. 299 of the 21st October last enclosing copies of letters from Messrs. ORMSBY and CHATHAM respecting the work which they are required to perform in connection with the Praya Reclamation Works.
2. In regard to the question whether these officers should be granted any additional remuneration for this work, I have to inform you that Mr. ORMSBY will probably be given further work and responsibility in connection with the New Territory, and it may therefore be necessary to consider the question of granting him some increase of salary in that connection, when, it becomes evident what additional work such new duties as may be assigned to him will involve.
3. I regret that I am unable to sanction the grant of any additional salary to Mr. CHATHAM at the present time, but I shall be prepared to give his case further consideration, if you think fit to recommend him for an increase of salary on the Estimates for 1900 if funds are then available.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient, humble Servant,
Governor
Sir HENRY A. BLAKE, G.C.M.G.,
&c.
&c.,
&c.
J. CHAMBERLAIN.
(Extract from Secretary of State's Despatch No. 10 dated 6th January, 1900.)
9. I would ask you to consider the question of classifying the salaries of appointments in Hongkong, and of gradually assimilating them to the rates of salary in force in the Straits Settlements as soon as the finances of the Colony are shown to be in a position to justify the increased expenditure which will be involved.
No. 65.
SIR,
(Governor to Secretary of State.)
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
HONGKONG, 17th March, 1899.
With reference to your despatch No. 328 of the 16th December last and pre- vious correspondence, I have the honour to forward for your favourable considera- tion the enclosed copy of a further application from Mr. R. D. ORMSBY, Director of Public Works, for an increase of salary.
2. The acquisition of the New Territory will entail a large amount of extra work and responsibility upon the Director of Public Works, and on that ground and in view of the increased cost of living and Mr. ORMSBY's long service and experience, I beg to recommend his application be granted.
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