No. 608.
BY AIR MAIL.
Sir,
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
HONG KONG.
14th November, 1935.
7
wiverse (2)
I have the honour to address you on the subject
of the pensionable status of Meher Khan, son of Sultan Khan, Assistant Warder in the Prisons Department of this Colony.
2.
Meher Khan was originally appointed to the Prisons Department on 7th November, 1923, and on 12th August, 1929, resigned from the service to take up other employment, tendering one month's salary in lieu of notice, which was
accepted. Although no regulation to that effect existed at
the time, he was then informed that he must in addition refund the cost of his transport from India, whence he had eleven days previously returned after long leave. Being unable to refund this amount, he asked for re-engagement, which was approved. Thereafter he continued to serve, and
conducted himself well, until found by a medical board on 16th July, 1935, to be suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis and recommended for discharge.
3. Gratuity was calculated on the basis of service from the date of his re-engagement, 24th September, 1929, such service being too short to allow of grant of pension. Meher Khan has since appealed, requesting that his previous
service should be taken into account. This request conflicts with regulation 6 under the Pensions Ordinance, 1932.
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
MALCOLM MACDONALD, M.P.,
4.
&c.,
&c.,
&c.
Page
Page
Paco 8
2.
age
8 END
4.
In view of the peculiar circumstances of the
case, viz., the fact that this officer was induced to re-engage
in Government service by an erroneous statement as to his
liability to Government, and that ne was reinstated in the
rank of Assistant Warder instead of in the lower rank of
Prison Guard, to which recruits are in the first place posted, I am disposed to treat the snort break in his service as
leave without pay, and so reckon his service prior to that break for the purpose of pension. To do so appears to be nothing more than recognition of the actual facts; but, the circumstances being very exceptional, 1 nave deemed it proper to seek your approval for the step.
5. It might further be argued in favour of generous treatment for Meher Koan that it has been suggested, not without reason, that the tuberculosis which has resulted in
a premature conclusion of his career was to some extent
traceable to the nature of his employment.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient, humble servant,
to. D. Southosh
Officer Administering the Government.
age 8
P
STRIA
53701