Enclosure to Despatch No. 26 of the 3rd May 1899.
Sir,
21809
Treasury,
Hongkong, 25th April 1899.
I have the honour to address you again with regard to the salary attached to the post I am holding in this office.
2. As Third Clerk in the Treasury, I am placed in Class IV under which the personal emoluments are fixed at $1,200 rising to $1,500 per annum, and at present I am drawing a salary of $135 per mensem, the maximum of that class, with no increment.
3. Under the circumstances, I beg leave to respectfully submit that such a salary is incompatible with the nature and responsibilities of the post.
You are aware that the duties appertaining to the 3rd Clerk in this office comprise:
(a) The charge of the collection of Crown Rent and Taxes, the two principal items of Revenue, the work of which is very heavy and responsible; also Rents of Non-Leased Lands, Piers, and Government Properties leased out, estimated in all at over One and a quarter Million Dollars for the current year;
(b) The carrying out of all correspondence, and attending to the public, in reference to the above;
(c) The keeping of the Suitors' Fund Cash Book, which shows a turn over of about $300,000 per annum; and some minor duties besides.
It must be obvious that the proper performance of these duties requires the utmost care, assiduity, accuracy, and constant vigilance on the part of the officer entrusted with them, and I venture to hope that, during the time I have held the post, your predecessors in office, and you, Sir, have had no occasion to be otherwise than satisfied.
The Honourable
W. M. H. McCall, ...