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doubtless satisfy the Officers concerned would be for both of them to draw the full allowance. This would obviate the necessity for Dr. Thomson being called upon to refund the allowance for the 303 days that he has drawn it in accordance with the decision of Sir H. A. Blake approved in your Despatch No.47 dated the 5th February, 1904, while it would also obviate a reading of your Despatch No.183 of the 13th June, 1904, which I am inclined to think Dr. Koch is justified in considering not warranted by the wording of that Despatch.
You?
Dr. Koch
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4.
Such a solution would however be unfair on the Colony which would thus be paying twice for houses for once in the £30 addition to the ordinary salary of an Assistant Colonial Surgeon, which was granted him with a view to covering house allowance, and once in the allowance of $60 a month of which only a small part can be looked upon as required to cover the additional expense and possibly the inconvenience of having to live in the proximity of the Gaol. It would also be paying $60 a month for a house for Dr. Thomson who is residing in England.
The fairest solution I can suggest, though it is at best a compromise, is that half the allowance for the whole period of Dr. Thomson's leave (366 days) should be paid to each Officer. This will necessitate Dr. Thomson refunding for 183 days and the amount of this refund being paid to Dr. Koch, and both Doctors drawing half the allowance for the remaining 183 days. I have the honour to request your approval to this arrangement.
6.
I regret to have had again to trouble you in this matter, the difficulty that has arisen with regard to which