No.: 138.
Sir,
Enclosure No. 1 to Your Despatch No. 408/01
General Post Office,
Hongkong, 21st September, 1901.
In a special report on the Post Office dated 13th April, 1899, the immediate engagement of seven additional clerks was urgently recommended. No reference will be made in this letter to the subject matter being strictly confined to Postal Clerks, excluding Boarding Officers, Postmen, or other employees.
2. The engagement of six of these clerks was sanctioned, and they entered on their duties on the 1st January, 1900. (O.3.d.38/00)
3. On the 10th November, 1899, a report furnished in O.9.d.2750 of 1899 recommended six additional clerks at $480, and one correspondence clerk at $980.
4. This report was amended on the 13th November, asking that in addition to the seven clerks indented for on the 10th, one might be appointed as Assistant Marine Sorter, and travelling allowance granted to two more clerks.
5. The scheme was to have six clerks in a sorting relief; for instance, 1, 2, and 3 are Assistant Marine Sorters, 1 is at sea, 2 is working in A, and 3 in B; 1 returns, 2 goes to sea, 1 takes his place in A.
6. A despatch dated 24th April, 1900, from Downing Street containing extracts from Hongkong Despatch No. 84 dated 9th was replied to on the 27th by letters marked (2) and (3) enclosed; special attention is invited to paragraphs 2 and 3 of enclosure 3.
7. Again on the 13th November, Hongkong Despatches attached to letter No. 31907/1900 were forwarded; letter attached marked (4) and copy of reply (5).
8. On the 25th February last, a report copy marked (8) was furnished to the Colonial Office. I had received verbal assurance in Downing Street that all demands for Staff preferred had been granted.
9. In the faith of that assurance, paragraph 14 of enclosure 5 was written giving 43 as the number of clerks at Hongkong. In fact, there were at that date but 37.
10. (1) See Letter from Us, despatched to you? No. 11868/1900, 24/4/00.
The Colonial Secretary.
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No. 31907/1900 13.11.00
15.11.00,
25.2.01