studied.
138
I annex a statement shewing the rates of pay to the crews in these three classes of launches.
Before going into the details of the increases I would mention that Police Service is always more unpopular than service under private Firms, because of the discipline (men can't absent themselves from Station without leave and are subject to punishment for all sorts of petty offences) and because of the night work which all Chinese, and indeed most people in the world I find, dislike.
Therefore to get good men Government must pay more than private Firms do.
I am informed that the Customs Authorities have found the same and that is why their scale of pay is so good.
To take the Deck first.
4 1st-class coxswains at $50 a month each.
This rate is well above that paid in class 2, but these men are for the Mirs Bay and Deep Bay patrols and are employed entirely outside the Harbour. The rate was fixed in C.S.O. No. 1 in Extension XI and I could not get men for less. Note that the Customs