20.
2/
456
I would recommend that the salary be fixed at $3,360, equivalent at 1s 1⁄2 per dollar to £840 a year, but really worth, at the current rate of exchange, only £616. This is very nearly the same as he is now drawing as temporary Superintendent of Opium Refine.
The Resumes will admit that this increase is amply justified as the surplus over expenditure last year was no less than $115,000 and the collections during the first quarter of this year show no sign of falling off.
13. I
15. I may add that before writing this Memorandum I have conferred with Mr. Stewart, who has acted as Colonial Secretary on several occasions. The report which I annex from this gentleman shows that he fully agrees with me.
It was a matter of surprise to me how he continued to keep his health last summer, remaining at the Office as he practically did long after others departed to escape the heat - Want of necessary extra staff is one of the chief predisposing causes of breakdown in the Department.
His mild climate is the best asset of the post.
المحنة.