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18.
19.
20.
special reports should be obtained from the Heads of the
Department in which your Petitioners are now employed as they
are of the opinion that a scrutiny of them will convince your
Lordship of the suitability of some of your Petitioners
adequately to undertake more responsible duties, including even
a measure of administrative work, such as may be considered
necessary for the satisfactory discharge of the duties of the
post of Chief Clerk to the Colonial Secretariat.
That your Petitioners further humbly request that the
confidential reports on their work in the past, some of which
are in your Lordship's possession, should also be carefully
examined.
That your Petitioners by reason of the conditions of their
employment have always been led to believe that such senior
and Special Appointments as that in respect whereof this
Petition is made were attainable by them and as an example
thereof would humbly call to your Lordship's notice that they
have since the commencement of their service in the Senior
Clerical and Accounting Staff paid rent in respect of the
quarters occupied by them on the same basis as Senior Officers
of the Hong Kong Government.
That several of your Petitioners have on more than one occasion
and for very considerable periods occupied and to the best of
their knowledge and belief adequately filled the Special
Appointments in respect of which they have been and are now to
be deprived and in particular your Petitioners would respect-
fully call to your Lordship's notice that more than one of your
Petitioners have received personal commendation and thanks from
past Governors of this Colony for their meritorious services
while acting in the capacity of Chief Clerk to the Colonial
Secretariat.
21. That your Petitioners believe and are confident that the policy
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