been repeated, the present high rate of the dollar being cit
J
ed as an additional argument in support of it. The Superin-
tendent of the Registration and Parcels Branch points out
742
that he draws fewer dollars per mensem than the First Clerk
of the same branch who is on a dollar salary while the
Superintendent of Mails calls attention to the salary of
£360 to £420 drawn by the officer holding the corresponding
appointment in the Straits Settlements.
3.
I have now the honour to request your sanc-
tion to the two officers drawing their second increment of
£25 and therefore receiving salaries at the rate of £280
from the 1st. January, 1906, instead of from the 1st.
January, 1907, when it would in ordinary circumstances be-
come due.
4 I do not anticipate that this will be a per-
manent settlement of these officers salaries but the in-
crease is a substantial one and I do not wish at the pre-
sent time to put them on an entirely new scale as I am sure
that would give rise to claims from other junior officers
on sterling salaries.
These claims will in the course of
next year have to be taken into consideration especially
if the dollar maintains its present high rate. I have
Foo
already indicated to you in paragraph 6 of my Confidential
31976
despatch of the 5th. August last the system on which I pro-
pose
: