##
440
unaltered after the lapse of three years. That was obviously what both the Hongkong Government and Mr Secretary Harcourt anticipated might be the case, and their reason for providing for the "bringing his (my) pensionable salary up to a maximum of £720 per annum" in such an eventuality. It seems to me that it would be difficult to find any other reason or intention, having regard to all the circumstances, taken in conjunction with the specific conditions mentioned, viz: a period of "three years" and "no promotion", added to the fact that, without obtaining promotion, the circumstances of my case could not change.
The special circumstances of my case consist of long service and other considerations (please see reference to certain of them at (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i) of my letter to you dated 4th May last) which are personal to myself alone.
It is clear that the Secretary of State definitely refused to grant an increase of the salary of the post.
It is equally clear that he agreed with the Hongkong Government's proposal to improve my position, independently of the post, and on the ground of the "special circumstances" of my case.
It is also clear that, so long as I was continued in the post without the hoped-for promotion, I was without opportunity and therefore powerless to alter circumstances during the three year period.
Such being my position, the official notification to me in 1911 of Mr Secretary Harcourt's promise as to raising the pensionable personal allowance to £120 per annum, under specially named conditions, the offer, it seems to me, would have been an empty one unless it was possible to be made good by both parties to it. Otherwise, on the fulfilment of the conditions named in the offer, its only effect would have been to have raised hopes in me impossible of realisation, an idea which I know full well is out of the question, and impossible in connection with an official despatch.
Your letter No. 15,391/1914 of the 1st May definitely intimated to me the reason why Mr Secretary Harcourt's sanction as craved was
>
7.
440
unaltered after the lapse of three years. That was obviously what
both the Hongkong Government and Mr Secretary Harcourt anticipated
might be the case, and their reason for providing for the "bringing
his (my) pensionable salary up to a maximum of £720 per annum”in
such an eventualityť. It seems to me that it would be difficult ☛ to find any other reason or intention, having regard to all the
circumstances, taken in conjunction with the specific conditions
mentioned, viz: a period of "three years" and "no promotion", added
to the fact that, without obtaining promotion, the circumstances of
my case could not change.
The special circumstances of my case consist of long service
and other considerations (please see reference to certain of them
at (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (1) of my letter to you 2o dated 4th May last) which are personal to myself alone.
It is clear that the Secretary of State definitely refused to
grant an increase of the salary of the post.
It is equally clear that he agreed with the Hongkong Govern-
ment's proposal to improve my position, independently of the post,
and on the ground of the "special circumstances" of my case.
It is also clear that, so long as I was continued in the post
without the hoped-for promotion, I was without opportunity and
therefore powerless to alter circumstances during the three year
period.
Such being my position, the official notification to me in
1911 of Mr Secretary Harcourt's promise as to raising the pension-
able personal allowance to £120 per annum, under specially named
conditions, the offer, it seems to me, would have been an empty
one unless it was possible to be made good by both parties to it
Otherwise, on the fulfilment of the conditione named in the offer.
its only effect would have been to have raised hopes in me impossi-
ble of realisation, an idea which I know full well is out of the
question, and impossible in connection with an official despatch.
Your letter No 15,391/1914 of the lat May definitely intimated to me the reason why Mr Secretary Harcourt's sanction as craved was
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.