that office.
The principle to giving what is asked, was agreed to by Mr Chamberlain on 29/5/53; but some little difficulty has been found arranging the details of the proposed appointment - but the Gov. has left their details to be settled on their side.
The proposal is to appoint a Clerk from the Lower Burma C.O. at a salary of £500 rising by annual increments of £20 to £600, with a free passage out, and also back at the end of five years if the appointment does not then become permanent.
After enquiry, it appears that by far the most suitable candidate for the appointment would be Mr Drayson; but he is anxious to be allowed the option of returning to his office at the end of three years if he does not find the post congenial, and is also anxious that the free passage should be allowed for his wife (he has no children).
On the whole, I think it would be best to choose Mr Drayson and get the thing settled as soon as possible.
In the case of Mr Drayson, I think he is a very suitable person to undertake the duties described in 29/5/53, and more so than any other Clerk who is desirous of serving in the Colony.
He has been nearly 18½ years in this office, and has now reached £300 on a scale rising to £350 (the Higher Grade of the Record Division).
So far as the C.O. is concerned, I think it is more convenient that a Clerk should not be seconded for more than 3 years or say the maximum period before heavy recurring costs after such period. But it is rather for the C.O. to say whether they will be content with a man's services for so short a time. I will pay both his passages out and back if he returns.
Having regard to the cost of living in Hong Kong, the minimum salary (£350) would certainly not have attracted a man of Mr Drayson's standing in the C.O.
Mr Drayson naturally desires that he should retain his right to his clerk's place in his present class, should he return; though the Treasury refuse...
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