830
that, "During residence in Europe the exchange is paid at the rate of 4½d to the dollar".
12. Now, surmising that the increase scheme for a general rise of 35% was not accepted, our salaries, when at home, would still be drawn at the rate above named, i.e. at 4½d per dollar. But, by the post-scriptum added to Your Lordship's Despatch it is apparent that, although we are not to participate in the general increase of salary, yet when on leave, as well as in the matter of pension, we are to submit to the low rate of exchange. We beg to draw Your Lordship's special attention to the strange anomaly of such an arrangement.
13. The officers in no other department of this service have to undergo the same amount of special local training as we in the Educational Department have. It generally takes about five years of unremitting study for a master to satisfactorily complete his examinations in Chinese, to qualify for translation work such as is done by the senior members of the staff. It was this fact, as much as any other, which was in Mr. Wright's mind, when he recommended an annual increment being added to the salaries. Copies of the two schemes, old and new, under which we are examined in Chinese, are inclosed for Your Lordship's information, particularly drawing your attention to the great amounts of work involved in either scheme!
14. The maximum amount $480 increase, got after eight years' service and after passing six examinations before the Board
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