38
and could make arrangements for them to sail
as soon as possible.
It is requested,
however, that they should be paid on the
Company's scale provided that the Hong Kong
Government is not thereby put to extra
expense. No doubt the Company's reason
for preferring such an arrangement is that
it will facilitate reabsorption of these men
when, as is intended, the Company takes over
the service.
Governor.
The present salaries recommended,
with foreign services allowance's added,
fall easily within the limits set by the
The suggested increments are the
same as or lower than Government increments.
The Company's scale for the "Engineer in
Charge "runs up to £610 only as against £1,150
in the Government scale. The scale of the
three Watchkeeping Engineers runs up to 2600,
out presumably, in view of the suggestion
made by the Company that the Government should
not be put to extra expense, the Company would
not expect these men to receive increments
while serving with the Hong Kong Government
beyond 2575 which was the maximum of the
scale proposed by the Government.
This is
only a practical issue in the case of Mr.
Brumley whose next annual increment would take
him to £580.
I doubt if the Hong Kong
Government would wish to withhold it.
The house allowances suggested are
larger than the corresponding lodging allowances
paid to some Government officials which
amount