ALL COMMUNICATIONS
TO BE ADDRESSED TO THE
CROWN AGENTS FOR THE COLONIES.
Sir,
14054 Rec 6 Jul 17, DOWNING STREET, LONDON. 5th July, Hong Kong Regn 310 Appts. 189 7. Gor 24636 1Referring to your letter of the 28th December 1891, I have the honour to state, for the information of the Secretary of State, that Miss Caroline Walker, who sailed for Hong Kong in April 1892 to take up her appointment as nurse for the Lunatic Asylum, and who finished her term of engagement in April last, has now returned to England, and has produced to us a certificate, copy herewith, from the Colonial Surgeon shewing that she is entitled under her agreement to half salary for the period occupied during her voyage home.
Miss Walker did not however come home direct but via Canada, and we propose, with the approval of the Secretary of State, to issue to her half salary for 42 days, the time occupied by the voyage of the intermediate P. and O. steamer "Japan" from Hong Kong to England, by which vessel Miss Walker would have returned had she come to England direct from the Colony.
Miss Walker claims to be paid at the rate of 4/- to the dollar, on the ground that nurses are entitled to receive their salaries at that rate for the passage home; and as we have no instructions, I have to request the directions of the Secretary of State in the matter.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your Obedient Servant,
The Under Secretary of State.
&c &c &c
Colonial Office.