No.
349.
Hongkong.
C.O.
38378
Received 15 SEP 22
Government House,
Hongkong, 7th August, 1902.
153
70
Sir,
1338701
01
Straits.
With reference to your Despatch No. 231 of the 12th July, 1901 have the honour to transmit for your information the enclosed copy of a minute by the Colonial Secretary, in which he recommends that in the event of Mr. Ireland's return to this Colony in the Autumn of 1903 he should be temporarily engaged by this Government for the purpose of indexing the Library in the Council Chamber and revising the system by which documents are recorded and filed in the Colonial Secretary's Office.
2.
I concur in Mr. May's opinion that some improvement in these matters is desirable, and I am satisfied that the whole time of the Colonial Secretary's Staff is so fully taken up with daily routine work that it is practically impossible for any of its present members to undertake this special work, for which on the other hand Mr. Ireland appears to be well fitted.
3.
I agree with Mr. May that an honorarium of £100 would be suitable, and I have reason to believe that Mr. Ireland would be prepared, if he returns to the Colony, to undertake the work upon those terms.
4.
As Mr. Ireland's return is uncertain and
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN, M.P.,
&c. &c. &c.