scheme of house allowances rather than one entailing the provision
of rented quarters because (a) the allowances will I think be cheap-
-er and (b) there would be great difficulty in this Colony to meet
the wishes of the class of officers for whom the scheme is intended
in the matter of the location of houses supplied by the Government. Some people prefer the hill district, others the intermediate 414 levels in Hongkong, while others prefer Kowloon. It would be very
difficult to satisfy all.
4.
I append a list of the officers in the 3
classes above referred to. Of these there are married in Mase I
nine, in Class II thirteen, and in Class III seventeen. The cost
of the scheme would therefore be 844,040 per annum at the present
time.
5.
For the purpose of comparison with the allow- -ances I have suggested I enclose a table of the lodging allowanc- -es granted to Military Officers in Hongkong for whom quarters are
not provided.
6.
I am loth to recommend an increase in personal
emoluments at present, and I would therefore recommend that the scheme should not be brought into operation, if you are prepared to approve it, till 1st. January, 1917.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient,
humble servant,
ཟའ*
Governor c..
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