Hong Kong 16/1052.
602 591
C. O.
20639
REC
RE 14 SEP 3
WAR OFFICE,
London, S.W,
8th September 1898.
1
Sir,
February
With reference to your letter of the 7th
1883, (1478/83), sanctioning revised rates of
lodging money for officers at Hong Kong, I am directed
by the Secretary of State for War to acquaint you for the
information of the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's
Treasury, that the General Officer Commanding at Hong Kong reported a few months ago that ever since he assumed
the command in the year 1895 the officers stationed there
have constantly represented to him the insufficiency of
the lodging allowance.
He had, from a desire not to increase expendi-
ture, insisted, somewhat unduly as he afterwards found, upon the officers doing their best with the present rates, but at length after full inquiries felt himself bound to recommend an increase in the rates.
The Secretary
(2) He proposed an increase which ranged from 21 per cent for one class to 106 per cent for another, involving an increased annual expenditure of about $1,700.
(3) The question has been much considered, and as the result of further particulars obtained from the General Officer Commanding and of information he has procured from a limited Company who act as agents for a very large
propertien
To the Treasury,
Whitehall,
S.W.