167
2.
W^t John Minchin to Surveyor General.
The contract between the (Corpus) the latter and the Government stipulates that during home he shall continue to receive half pay and he now asks that this privilege may not be considered forfeited by the fact of his having remained for a longer time in the Colony, but that the money which amounts to £140 may be paid to his wife in England.
3.
I am unable to say how far his having accepted a temporary engagement in the Colony affects his claim to this money, as the contract which was drawn up by the Crown Agents, does not provide against such a contingency.
(Signed) A M. Price Surveyor General.
Hongkong, 5 November, 1886
I beg to inform you that on the morning of the 4^o instant just before embarking for England I received an offer from the Superintendent of the PX Company to remain in Hongkong for a period of six months to superintend the erection of their Offices and which offer I have accepted. I therefore most respectfully ask to be pleased to obtain the sanction of His Excellency the Governor to the payment of the half Salary due to me from the date on which I should have embarked to the date on which the steamer will arrive in London and that the Crown Agents may be instructed to pay
The Honourable John M. Price Surveyor General.