A
294
between the arrival of a mail Steamer and the distribution of the correspondences; to the distance of the
partly owing Most Office from the anchorage, and greatly because the Office is too confined in its
space to admit of the duties being
carried on with full efficiency
16.
The Staff of the Shaughai Office have made a general representation
of the inadequacy of their pay,
and to some extent we are
prepared to admit
their claims to an increase. The salary
of the Agent, when he was appointed
in early 1863, was fixed at £400 per annum, of which amount £150
is paid from Imperial, and £250 from
Colonial revenue: and the salary of the
Assistant, who was appointed about
the same time,
was fixed at £200 per
annum, which is paid by the Colony.
Considering that the Agent, and his Assistant have both served the Department well for a period of four
years and a half, that the cost of living in Shanghai has increased at least ten per cent during that time, and that it is contemplated to impose on these Officers additional duties
and responsibilities in introducing
the several improvements proposed in
this