To
Sir,
Enclosure No. 1 to Despatch No. 91 of the
18th March, 1903.
The Acting Postmaster-General.
15006
355
General Report Office, Hongkong,
8th March, 1903.
I beg most respectfully to ask that the following points may be submitted for the consideration of the Government of Hongkong:-
(1). Prior to accepting the post of Examining Supervisor, I enquired from the Colonial Office as to the amount I should receive in lieu of residence. I was informed that the matter could be better arranged in Hongkong.
In accepting this post I was under the impression that the conditions of living were the same as existed in Hongkong twenty years ago, but I find it a more expensive place to reside in than then. I would beg to point out that my present residence with one attendant costs over $80 per month, and I would beg to ask that I may be granted a house allowance or an increase of salary to enable my family and myself to live in the same way as we have been used to at home. I may add that the maximum of the Sorters Class to which I belonged in the General Post Office, London, is £150 per annum, and the addition of overtime and Sunday pay would have exceeded £200 per annum.
(2). I beg to ask that I be remunerated by the Government for the following expenses incurred by me in the transit of my wife and family from London to Hongkong:- viz.-
£ s. d. Lodging for self and family on night prior to embarkation 3 10 1 Paid to London Parcel Delivery Company for removal of baggage to Tilbury Dock 1 7 0 Cab fare to Liverpool Street Station 0 Train fare to Tilbury Dock 3 10 To suitable food for infant (not provided by P.&O. S. N. Co.) 2 0 To fees for Stewards and Stewardess on board S.S. "Oceana" 1 10 do. do. S.S. "Oriental" 1 4 0 Paid to P. & O. Co. for excess of baggage (none allowed for 1 child) 10 10 0 17 15 2 To 3 days lodging on arrival here in Boarding House 2 13 Coolie hire for transfer of baggage from Praya to Boarding House and from thence to present residence 7 8 Total 9 14 0