96
and Private Secretary are very onerous here and I would suggest
an increase of 500 each which would make the amount equal to
that paid in the Straits Settlements.
4. I may be permitted to add that since the
taking over of the New Territory the great increase of work has
been accentuated by weakness of the staff from absence and sick-
ness. Upon those on whom the increased pressure has fallen have
kept the business up to date by working often far into the night
and I have to express my warm commendation of the unmurmuring
cheerfulness with which the calls of the service have been responded to by all the officials concerned. To fully appreciate
it one must know the trying conditions under which pressing
work has to be done in the Government offices during the ex-
hausting summer in Hong Kong.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your Most Obedient
Humble Servant,
GOVERNOR &c.