Enclosure No. 1.
Sec: C. C. 191 8773
v 9 MAR 07
Attorney-General's Chambers,
Hongkong, 29th January, 1907.
Sir,
I have the honour to make to you certain representations on the subject of Mr. Seccombe Smith's transfer with the request that His Excellency may be good enough to lay them before the Secretary of State for his favourable consideration.
I understand that Mr. Smith has gone on 9 months' leave of absence and that for this period his salary is to be charged to this Colony.
If it may be assumed that Mr. Smith's successor will be found in the local service there will be three promotions in the Colony as a result of the transfer.
1. One Officer from Class II to Class I
2. do. III do. II
3. One Officer, Passed Cadet, do III.
If Mr. Smith's transfer to the Straits Settlements is only to date from the termination of his leave these promotions are deferred for nearly a year and the increments the officers promoted begin to draw at the expiration of 3 years in their new posts are also deferred for the same time.
I venture to submit that the more equitable arrangement would be for Mr. Smith's full pay leave (4 months) to be taken from this Colony leaving the rest of his leave on half pay to be charged to the Straits Settlements. Mr. Smith's earlier appointment to his new Colony will only mean that that Colony has to find his half salary for a period of five months while
The Honourable
The Colonial Secretary.