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No.234.
Sir,
Police Office,
Hong Kong, 17th July, 1899.
I have the honour to inform you that whereas the allowances for chair coolies to myself and other officers of this department are calculated on the assumption that a chair coolie's wages are $6 a month, it is now impossible to hire coolies at a smaller wage than $7.50 a month and in the Hill District as much as $8 is paid. I venture to submit that it is unfair that we should have to pay the difference out of our own pockets, and in my case amounting to $72 a year, and I therefore request authority to insert in my Estimate for 1900 allowances calculated on a wage basis of $7.50 a month for each coolie.
I have &c.
(Signed) F.H.May,
Captain Superintendent of Police.
The Colonial Secretary.
REG 31 AUG 19
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