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Public Works Department.
Mr. Wood, the Accountant, considers that his appointment should be taken out of Class I as long as he holds it, and the Director of Public Works supports him.
I see no reason for making the change. If it were made, the fact that the appointment belongs to Class I should on the next vacancy probably be lost sight
of.
Neither Mr. Thomson nor I agree with the Director of Public Works in his recommendations to change the classes of First and Second clerks in his Depart-
ment.
General Post Office.
We agree that the Deputy Superintendent, Money Order Office, should, on the next vacancy, be placed in Class IV. The Officer now recommended for the post is already drawing $1,560 and is recommended for an increase to $1,680.
The other recommendations of the Acting Postmaster General have been adopted.
Supreme Court.
The First Clerk and Clerk to the Chief Justice has been placed in Class III.
Attorney General's Office.
Mr. Thomson and I consider the salary sufficient.
Police Department.
The 4th clerk is placed in Class VII.
The Acting Treasurer has prepared the enclosed Schedule showing what increased expenditure would be entailed by the original and new scheme of classification.
I am also indebted to Mr. Messer for making the final copy of the scheme of classification at a time when I have been extremely busy.
27th March, 1901.
F. H. MAY.
(Secretary of State to Governor.)
HONGKONG.
No. 244.
DOWNING STREET,
19th July, 1901.
SIR,-I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 202 of the 3rd ultimo, forwarding a Classified List of the Subordinate Civil Service of Hongkong, with the increases of Salary recommended and a list of other appoint- ments, not included in the classified scheme.
2. 1 approve the rates of increase in which you concur in your despatch, but I regret that I am unable to agree to their being given from the 1st January last. It will be more convenient for the new scheme to come into force from 1st January next, and provision should be made accordingly on the Estimate for 1902.
3. I shall be glad to receive spare copies of the printed enclosure to your despatch at your early convenience.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient, humble Servant,
J. CHAMBERLAIN.
Governor
SIR H. A. BLAKE, G.C.M.G.g
4.,
&c.,
Se.
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