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Conferred.
19. It might be worth while to communicate to the Governor the Rules as to Judges which were adopted in Ceylon in 1876, with a view to a consideration of the question of adopting similar rules at Hong Kong. (See annexed copy of the Ceylon Minute of 30 Aug 1876.) There is one as to compulsory retirement (6th Clause of Ceylon Minute) which it might be thought desirable to establish in Hong Kong, even if the scale of Judges' retiring allowances should not be changed.
Clause 4. Colonial Chaplain.
This Clause does not show how the case of a Colonial Chaplain who has had previous Service in some other Office in the Colony is to be dealt with, and though the occurrence of such a Chaplain may not be very pressing, it would be desirable that the Clause should make the matter clear.
21. In the last part of this Clause there is an ambiguity. Namely "The Surveyor General and the Assistant Surveyor General, when debarred from private practice, shall be allowed the benefit of five additional Years in regard of length of Service on the ground of superannuation allowance." It should be made plain that the enjoyment of private practice not merely debarred the holders of the offices from the allowance of the superannuation addition, but, except in special circumstances, from all claim to a pension.
23. In connection with this question I would point out that I do not find in the Hong Kong Minute any provision for professional addition except to (Judges and) the Colonial Chaplain, Surveyor General, and Assistant Surveyor General.
24. It may perhaps be suggested that Clause ... (with right to add a ... etc.
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