Copy.
The Director of Education.
Queen's College,
21st May,
1925.
293
Sir,
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I understand that last year a stipulation was made
by the Colonial Government that in future there should be appointed to the Education Department only men who were
unmarried and who would remain so during their probation period. I beg to submit that no intimation of this stipulation was made to me in any way whatever on my appointment nor for four months after I arrived in the Colony
On the contrary in the "Memorandum regarding
vacancies for Assistant Masters, Hongkong Education Department issued to me by the Colonial Office, it is expressly stated "no restriction as to marriage". Would not refusal to grant a rent allowance under present conditions be equivalent to an almost complete restriction?
The memorandum further states "while an unmarried
man can save money if he wishes, for a married master; especially with a family, economy would be necessary". Is it not therefore evident that any understanding I had was to the effect that marriage was regarded as a distinct possibil- ity? The memorandum also states, "If the master rents a private house, an allowance in lieu of quarters is made."
Acting on these clear representations, I have made arrangements to be married next year I I Had I been informed of the attitude of the Colonial
Government on this matter, I would have known that to expect;: but no intimation of this was given to me in London x I
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I have, &c.
(Sd.) Percy Richmond.