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as that of a 2nd Class Gaol Guard. But the Constable can remit half his pay viz:- $6.25 at the rate of 2s 2d and obtain for his $6.25 an amount in rupees, which it would cost the Guard $10.90 to obtain at the market rate: so that practically the pay of the 3rd Class Constable is not $14 but $18.65.
6. In former years when exchange was higher the pay of the Gaol Staff was always at least equal to that of the Police Force, but now if a comparison be made between the pay of corresponding ranks in the two Forces it will be found that owing to exchange compensation being granted to the Indian Police and not to the Indian Warders, the pay in the Police is in every case higher.
7. Compared with the wages of Indians in other employ than that of the Government of Hongkong the pay of your Petitioners is low. For instance a man on joining the Asiatic Artillery gets at once $14.70 a month of which he can remit $8.10 at 2s 2d rupees to the 100 dollars, which privilege makes the real total of his pay $20.74. And again a Constable joining the Naval Yard Police gets $19.00 a month and within a year rises to $27.00, but in this Force no exchange compensation is paid.
8. Some system of exchange compensation your Petitioners respectfully submit should be granted to the Indian Staff of the Gaol for the very same reasons that have led to the grant of exchange compensation to the European Staff of the same establishment and to the European and Indian Contingents of the Police Force.
Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray that some form of exchange compensation be granted to them on the whole or a portion of their present pay.
And your Petitioners will ever pray &c...
Dated this 11th day of May, 1894.
(Here follow 58 signatures.)