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which had been drawn by my predecessors.
In May 1873, the Seamen's Hospital containing 59 beds, with two medical officers attached, was closed. All the work which had been done there was thrown upon this Hospital also without remuneration.
Evidence of the large addition to the work performed in the Civil Hospital is contained in the fact that in the year before I took charge, the Hospital receipts were under $1000, whereas they now amount to about $5000.
At the end of three years' service, i.e., five years ago, I applied for the £50 increase which had been promised me by the Secretary of State; but it was refused.
Only one of my predecessors who remained over three years in the service (Dr. Cochrane, who died in 1871) received an increase at the end of three years.
Up to a few months ago, I had got through the whole of the enormous mass of work laid upon me single-handed. I am now in charge of an Establishment more than double the size of that which I was originally appointed.
Having by many years' experience become thoroughly conversant with the hygiene requirements of the Colony and the diseases to be met with in it, having acquired a knowledge of the common Chinese dialect of the place, I have had strong temptation to leave the public service for private practice.
Nevertheless, waiving the terms of many agreements, I have performed all the duties imposed upon me. I have worked on, year after year, believing that my labours would meet with some recognition.
Eight years in the Hospital and post-mortem work at least equal to that done by my predecessor Dr. Murray, who received £200 per year; his previous emoluments being about £625 (Civil Hospital £300; acting as Surgeon, C.D., £75; Ordinance medico-legal work about £250) and sundry fees from private patients.
His successor (Mr. Jean) in 1872 received about £626 (Civil Hospital, C.D., Ordinance, £75, and medico-legal work £250) and private fees.
I have had more work than either Dr. Cochrane or Dr. Murray. From the closing of the Seamen's Hospital, a medical jurisconsult, for eight years I have performed gratuitously duties for which I never stipulated and for which my predecessors received about £250 per annum.
For a number of years, I have had charge without pay of the Smallpox Hospital, which is altogether outside my agreement, and for which when desired, Dr. Adams, the then Sanitary Officer, was in receipt of $5 a day.
Acceding to the request of the Governor, being well aware of the value of such work and the amount of labour involved by it, I trust His Excellency will be able to grant me at the end of eight years the same increase which Dr. Cochrane received after three years.
I have, &c.,
C. I. Wharry
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