R
NO CONFIDENTIAL.
251
34040
Per
11 JUL 181
GOVERNMENT HOUSE.
HONGKONG. 15th. May, 1918,
Despatches.
Sir.
Gor
Evernor's Confidential of lat.
March, 1917.
focratary of State's Confidential er 7th. May, 1917. dette. overnor's Confidential of 10th.
September, 1917.
Sar
- 52965
With reference to the correspondence noted
in the margin, I have the honour to inform you that an application was recently made by an Officer in receipt of an allowance in aid of
rent, who was proceeding on three
months' leave of absence, that owing to his having been unable to let his house the allowance might be paid to him while absent from the Colony.
2.
I was at first disposed to refuse the grant of any part of the allowance, but as the house in question was somewhat inaccessible and not easily let, I appro -ved of half the allowance being granted, and ruled that the maximum grant in such cases would be half the allowance, and that each case would be dealt with on its merits.
3.
On his return from leave in February the Treasurer urged that this decision might be reconsidered as he was inclined to think that it was not quite in accordance with the spirit of the regulations governing the scheme of allow- -ances in aid of rent. Mr. Thomson, in his capacity as Treasurer, desires to have your ruling on the point and at my request he has draw up a memorandum of which I enclose a
F RIGHT HONOURABLE
WALTER LONG, M.P.,
&c..
&c...
&c..
copy