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PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
HONGKONG, 1st August, 1908.
SIR, We, the undersigned Overseers of the Public Works Department, beg your esteemed interest and consideration for the following petition:-
Owing to the constantly increasing cost of living in the Colony, we find it incumbent upon us to solicit the Government for some assistance in the matter of LEAVE OF ABSENCE from the Colony for health and other purposes, which is so absolutely necessary to the European Community working here.
We are unanimous in respectfully soliciting the Government's consideration, and trust you may see your way to recommend the proposals.
You will also see that the matter very materially concerns the married Overseers, therefore, we have no hesitation in putting the matter forward and feel sure it will meet with a fair consideration.
1. That, the leave of absence from the Colony granted to Overseers be for Nine months in lieu of the present Twelve months.
2. That during the term of leave the rate of half pay be granted.
3. That the Government pay the passages of such Overseers to and from Home or at least materially assist in such cost.
4. That leave of absence be given every Five years of service.
5. In the case of married Overseers the Passage be granted for Wife and family.
May we point out the advantages which will accrue to the Government.
(a.) The shorter leave of absence of its Overseers.
(b.) The payment of half, instead of the full salaries for the three or four months
of leave as at present, this will be a set-off against the passages.
(c.) Men will be in better health and more fitted for their duties, feeling that a Holiday will be due to them, whereas at present they are not in a position to estimate when Finances will enable them to have a Holiday if at all.
The advantages to Overseers will be fully appreciated.
The enormous outlay of Fares to England is such a heavy handicap especially to the married men that their hopes of taking such trips are at present so futile that they cannot with any confidence expect to see their relations in England, but once in a decade, and when such Holiday would be beneficial they are not able to lay out the cost unless at a sacrifice of funds which they may have saved against the inevitable" Rainy Days" or by borrowing, thereby imposing upon themselves a heavy tax. Many Overseers find the cost of living here so great that the margin saved for a trip home is so small as to be almost insufficient to pay the passage.
Therefore we repeat that we forward this to you with every confidence, feeling sure it will receive at your hands a fair and equitable approval and we trust you will put the mat- ter forward for His Excellency the Governor's consideration with your support.
Hon. W. CHATHAM, C.M.G.,
Director of Public Works.
We have, &c.,
L. H. MUGFORD, J. Ross, I. A. WHEAL, J. HUTCHINGS, W. T. EDWARDS, J. S. LONGSTAFF, G. W. KYNOCH,
U. A. FARRELL, J. A. HIRST, J. H. BARRINGTON, A. W. J. SIMMONS, S. R. Bord, H. A. MORRIS, F. H. DILLON.