Government House,
Hong Kong,
3rd May, 1899.
Sir,
I have the honour to transmit for your consideration the enclosed copies of a draft Bill entitled 'An Ordinance to consolidate and amend the law providing for the grant of pensions to the Widows and Orphans of deceased public officers' together with a report thereon by the Acting Colonial Treasurer which points out the main differences from the existing law.
2. The draft Bill is practically copied from the Ceylon Ordinance No.1 of 1898 with a few modifications to adapt it to local conditions, and it has been approved by the Directors of the Fund.
3. You will observe that the suggestion contained in your despatch No. 230 of the 18th November 1897 that members of the Police Force, who hereafter join the Service, should be compelled to contribute to the Fund from the date on which they become Sergeants, has not been embodied in the draft Bill, as the Captain Superintendent of Police, copies of whose minutes on the subject are enclosed, anticipates
The Right Honourable
JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN, M.P.,
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