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of 20 years long and faithful service should be, as it were, recognised on the occasion of my entering the Service.
It will be observed that the work done in 1889, which required two officers and cost $5,040 to the Government, is now done by one at a cost of $2,400 only, 50% less than in 1889, notwithstanding that the Revenue for 1897 is double that of the former period. In addition to the above, the increased work consequent on the recent acquisition of the New Territory has also to be taken into consideration.
Out of a Revenue of $3,610,143 the Stamp Department collects $62,384,739.
14. I take the liberty of pointing out great differences between the salary of my office and that of other officers in the Accounting Branch of the service, evidenced by the following offices:
Deputy Registrar & Accountant Supreme Court, Salary $300 per month.
Office Assistant & Accountant Public Works Dept: $300
Accountant of the Treasury (any office) only $250 per month.
15. Apart from my long and faithful service, the responsible duties I have to perform, and from the other facts stated above, I would respectfully urge that as an old Civil Servant who served faithfully for 38 years in Hong Kong and who died only last December, while enjoying his well-earned pension, I am entitled to some consideration at the hands of the Government.
16. Considering that there is no chance whatever of my further advancement in the Service - not even the prospect of drawing the half salary of an officer in the Department when on leave of absence - and in view of the important Office I have the honour to hold as head of the Department, and the pecuniary responsibilities devolving on me, I trust I may be treated as an exceptional case.
17. As the head of any Department, Mr. Thomann, is now on leave in England, I would respectfully suggest that my application be referred to him for his opinion and report.