of Inspector General of Police had been transferred to another officer but the Secretary of State's instructions were, that I was to receive a Salary of not less than $400, per month and to be employed in any Capacity considered desirable. Accordingly after being employed in different acting offices including that of Lieutenant of Malacca, I was appointed in March 1876, one of Three Commissioners to inquire into the circumstances connected with the Murder of Mr Birch in Perak. And I went up there to collect evidence on the subject.
On the 15th of June 1876, I received appointment as Registrar of the Supreme Court of Hong Kong, but by Sir William Robinson's directions I remained in Perak to complete the inquiry and the evidence proved to be so involved and complicated that it was not until this month that I found myself at liberty to proceed to Hong Kong.
In the meantime the delay in taking up my appointment has been to me the cause both of Pecuniary loss and of much domestic inconvenience. Mrs Plunket had been looking forward to the Cool climate in Hong Kong to recruit her health but in consequence of this delay I have now been obliged to send her home to England.
My Salary in Hong Kong according to Despatch from the Secretary of State was $400 a month, which includes Vice Admiralty Court to the extent of about $90 a month, and I have therefore since June been the latter amount out of pocket.
I ought to mention however that at the termination of the Perak inquiry I received a Sum of $2,000, but this was granted to me principally...
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