( 21 )
His Excellency Sir Richard MacDonnell has no objection to the men assigning any portion of their pay to their families in India, and considers the proposed arrangement most satisfactory. He is also ready to allow pensions after 15 years' service and good conduct; such pensions not to exceed one-third, or 20-60ths of the average pay of claimants during the three years immediately previous to the maturity of such claims.
His Excellency concurs in the suggestions of Major Hutchinson as to free passage back to Calcutta on expiration of 10 years' service, but objects to a gratuity of six months' pay at the end of five years' service, on the ground of its holding out a direct inducement to the men to leave in a body, or as soon as they could obtain so large a sum in cash as that proposed.
A liberal pay is offered with the view of dispensing with a gratuity so early.
His Excellency has arranged with Messrs. Jardine, Matheson and Company, of this port, that passage will be provided for Mr. Creagh and his men by one of the steamers (say that leaving Calcutta about the 20th April), of which Messrs. Jardine, Skinner and Company of Calcutta are Agents. In case the men be not ready to embark on the 20th April, there will be another steamer of Messrs. Jardine on the 20th of May; they are both 1st Class Steamers, provided with hurricane decks; and as the weather will then be warm, His Excellency suggests that all the men accompanied by Mr. Creagh should embark in the same steamer, where they can be made sufficiently comfortable at that season of the
year.
The quarters provided for the men here are excellent; and every care will be taken to ensure their comfort.
His Excellency at the same time trusts that Mr. Creagh may, if possible, be allowed the option of returning to the Indian Service any time during the next five years.
( 25 )
III. It shall be optional with the men to re-engage for a further period of five years. At the end of a term of ten years' service, counting from the date of embarkation for service in the Hong-Kong police, such men as are drawing more than £ 30 per annum, &. e. 360 Rs., shall be entitled, in addition to the free passage secured by condition II, to a pension of one-fourth of the average monthly pay of the last three years, payable by the Hong-Kong authorities.
IV. Clothing, and quarters will be provided free of charge to the police,
V. A policeman is liable to dismissal for gross misconduct; and if he has served less than five years, dismissal carries with it forfeiture of the free return-passage secured by condition II.
This punishment will only be inflicted in very serious cases; and then only by the orders of His Excellency the Governor.
VI. If rations he supplied to the men by Government, while serving in China,
Rs. 4-2-8 a month will be deducted from their pay.
The above conditions have been explained to son of
police.
In presence of
Magistrate.
Dated
at
the
a volunteer for service in the Hong-Kong
Signature of
Volunteer.
1867.
Telegram,-From the Colonial Secretary, Hong-Kong, to the Secretary to the Government of India, Home Department,-Dated Mud Point, the 29th March 1867.
Hong-Kong Government accedes to pensions after fifteen years; and to all proposals, except gratuities after five years, as tending to break up of Force. Steamer Reiver will leave Calcutta (?) 20th April, Clan Alpine 20th June (May?), Passages for Mr. Creagh and one hundred Police are engaged in either vessel as may best suit.
Volunteers for the Hong-Kong Police,
The following are the conditions on which men have been engaged for service in the Hong-Kong Police :-
I. Pay has been guaranteed at 10 rupees a month, from date of entertainment in the Punjab to date of embarkation at Calcutta. From Calcutta to date of debarkation
at Hong-Kong pay at 20 rupees a month, with free rations and passage.
On arrival in China three grades will be formed on 30 rupees, 25 rupees and 20 rupees
a month.
II. After five years' service a man may claim a free return-passage to Calcutta provided he shall not have forfeited this indulgence as hereafter explained in condition V.
Questions to be put separately by the Police Magistrate to a person engaging or enlisting
into the service of the police force of Hong-Kong.
1.
What is your name?
2. In what place were you born?
3. What is your trade or calling?
4. Are you married?
5. Are you ruptured or lame?
6. Have you ever been subject to fits ?
7. Have you any disability, or disorder which impedes the free use of your limbs, or unfits you for any ordinary labor?
8. Do you belong to the Army, or Navy, or Militia?
9. Have you ever served in the Army, or Navy, Militia, or Volunteers?
10. Are you willing to serve in the police
of Hong-Kong for the term of five years from the date hereof ?
592
}