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1st. of June, 1908, the scale of fees allowed to Solicitors has been increased some 50 or 40 per centum with the sanction of the Government, and I submit that in order to put the Crown Solicitor on the same footing as his professional brethren his remuneration should (even if there were no increase of work) be increased in a like degree.
15. I note that in the sterling salaries scheme the Crown Solicitor's salary is fixed at £600, and I understand that this scheme is based on a comparison with salaries paid in the Straits Settlements, but I submit that such comparison is quite unreliable and misleading without a careful consideration of the staff of the officer holding the equivalent position in Singapore (if such there be) and of the work undertaken by him.
16. In view of the fact that there is a Municipality in Singapore which must carry out a large proportion of the work which is here carried out by the Government, and that probably such Municipality has its own legal advisers, I do not see how it is possible to compare the two Officers.
17. I therefore submit that in view of the great increase of work and of the rise in the scale of costs allowed to Solicitors generally my salary should be increased, and suggest that if such increase were made from $4,200 to $6,800 with compensation (or fixed in Sterling at £1,000 a year) on the understanding that I am to provide a fully qualified assistant whose services are to be at the disposal of the Government whenever required, it would be a more adequate remuneration for the duties of my office, and it would be possible for me to carry out such duties in a more satisfactory manner.
I have etc.,
(Sgd.) F. B. L. Bowley, C.S.