I have been informed that:
It appears the Hongkong Government were unable at the time to recommend my application to which I received the following reply: "Mr. Chamberlain regrets that the salary attached to your appointment cannot be raised, at any rate at the present time."
In the absence of promotion to a better paid appointment at the present time I earnestly hope, that the lapse of another year may enable you to recommend His Excellency to favourably consider my case and grant me an increase.
Having commenced with this Government on the special work of initiating systems of General and Store Accounting with ten years Experience of such work at home in addition to General Correspondence, I most respectfully submit that a comparison of my case with that of any other officer in this Department in the matter of time service might be greatly to my disadvantage, since the other senior officers are for the most part Executive and Assistant Engineers, several of whom have commenced their business career in this Department, and besides can look forward to the highest paid appointment in this Department, and similar Departments in other Colonies.
Every officer of the Public Works Department with the single exception of the Office Assistant and Accountant, has an opportunity...