Government House,
Hongkong, 12th June, 1901.
353 C.O. 26863 A.
Sir,
In reply to your Despatch No.130 of the 19th of last April, I have the honour to inform you that I am advised by Executive Council that it is desirable that an experienced Bacteriologist should be engaged for permanent service in this Colony, which is in a position to afford the expense of a Bacteriological Institute and to pay a Bacteriologist at the rate of $5,000 per annum and Exchange Compensation, with free quarters or house allowance, or at such higher rate as may be necessary to retain the services of a thoroughly competent specialist.
It is felt to be of cardinal importance that there should be a laboratory for original research in the Colony, in which it is feared that plague, of which a serious epidemic is now raging, may become endemic, the effect of which would be disastrous for this Colony as a great port of call.
I cannot form any opinion as to the salary expected by a thoroughly competent Bacteriologist, but I assume that such a man has been secured for Singapore for $5,000, which sum I shall tentatively place on the Estimates for 1902.
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN, M.P.