COPY.
Sir,
C. O.
17005
H. M. Naval Yard, 1 KGY 03]
Hongkong, 6th. March, 1903.
50
In reply to your letter of 4th. instant,
enquiring as to the salaries of Portuguese and Chinese employees
other than those of the coobie class, within the last three
years, I am directed to inform you that there have been two
Admiralty Orders on this subject.
The first of these (12th. March, 1900)
approved of a temporary aldition of 25% to the pay of all
Native Writers so long as the then cost of living was maintained.
The second Order of 20th. June, 1903,
granting further temporary increases of from 5 to 25% on the
original authorised scales of pay to reliable Hired Writers
(Native), was in response to an urgent telegram from the
Commodore, stating that competent Writers were resigning owing
to inadequacy of pay.
The Honourable
The Colonial Secretary.
I have etc.,
(Sa.) C. E. Woolmer,
Secretary to the Commodore.