for the Colonies will at the same time consider the other points of difference to which we have referred, and will concede to the Public officers of this Colony. The privileges of Leave of absence after five years instead of six years; of half salary instead of one third when on leave, and what is even now allowed in British Guiana and some other Colonies, of reckoning period of leave as full time spent on Service.
11. Hongkong is further from home than any other Crown Colony, with the exception of some, so that the expense of the voyage cuts deeply into the half salary, while the time employed (over six weeks each way) makes a serious inroad on the leave. This is especially the case with married officers with families: who are compelled to take the route which offers the fewest changes of conveyance, as well as being the least expensive, but which is necessarily the longest. We respectfully submit, that these additional disadvantages seem to entitle this Colony to special consideration; at present we are on the same rate of leave and allowance for passage as officers in other colonies, for instance, the West Indies, from which England can be reached in a few days, and at a comparatively trifling expense.
12. His Lordship will, we trust, not be unwilling to admit, that the Path
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