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4. If they are willing to serve under the Colonial Government I should require the services of Sergeant Whittaker at once, but in the case of the other two Non- Commissioned Ollicers, if agreeable to you, their transfer may be arranged later.

5. In conclusion, I desire to convey to you my thanks for the ready manner in which you have shown your willingness to help this Government by consenting to the transfer of the services of such trustworthy Non-Commissioned Officers.

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2. The arrangement you propose as to leave seems a fair one, and I have to thank you for having done all you can to meet my wishes.

3. I will transmit to the Secretary of State for the Colonies by the outgoing mail a copy of the correspondence that has passed between us.

I have, &c.,

I have, &c.,

J. H. STEWART Lockhart,

Commissioner.

3613

J. H. STEWART LOCKHART,

Commissioner.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O. 882

| ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

6 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

Major C. D. Bruce,

Chinese Regiment,

Officer Commanding Troops,

Wei-hai-Wei.

Enclosure 3 in No. 141.

The OFFICER COMMANDING THE TROOPS, Wei-hai-Wei, to COMMISSIONER.

December 13, 1902.

SIR,

In reply to your letter of December 10th, 1902, and your statement therein of the terms upon which you express your wish to accept the services of three Non- Commissioned Officers of the Chinese Regiment for Colonial employ, I have the honour to state that the Non-Commissioned Officers referred to have stated that they are willing to accept the terms.

2. With regard to the date at which you would want these Non-Commissioned Officers to commence work under the Colonial Office, I note now, that in the case of As I am two of them you would prefer to postpone their transfer until April next. obliged to re-arrange the staff of the Chinese Regiment consequent upon these transfers, it will be necessary for Sergeant-Major Young and Colour-Sergeant Purdon's places to be filled in accordance with the establishment laid down in War Office telegram of December 6th, 1902. I am not, therefore, able to decide the question, lint suggest the following arrangement:

Sergeant Major Young is anxious to obtain leave in order to get married at Shanghai. He is entitled to leave, and I would grant him two months, leaving it to you to consider whether you can arrange that he commences work under Colonial Office at the end of February.

Colour Sergeant Purdon is anxious to obtain leave to study for the Pekinesc further examination in the written character at Pekin.

This leave I am ready to grant pending sanction from home.

By the above plan your wishes will be met so far as can be done, and the question of whether the Colonial Office or the War Office pays these Non-Commissionerl Olicers after their places are filled in the Chinese Regiment may be left for clecision at home.

I shall be glad to have your reply as soon as convenient, as the alteration in the Chinese Regiment should take effect from December 15th next.

His Honour

the Commissioner,

SIR,

I have, &c.,

C. D. TRUCE,

Chinese Regiment, Officer Commanding Troops.

Enclosure 4 in No. 141.

The COMMISSIONER to the OFFICER COMMANDING THE TROOPS, Wei-hai-Wei.

(No. 118.)

Government House, Port Edward, December 15, 1902.

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 13th instant, in which you inform me that the three Non-Commissioned Officers are willing to accept the forms stated in my letter of the 10th instant.

No. 142.

THE EARL OF ONSLOW (FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE) to COMMISSIONER LOCKHART.

(Sent 2.16 p.m., January 29, 1903.) TELEGRAM.

Referring to your despatch, No. 66,* paragraph 5. Under Order in Council, clause 3, sub-section 2, administration of Government devolves upon Senior Mili- tary Ollicer during your absence. When do you propose to leave and how long should you be away? Who will then probably be Senior Military Officer?

4176

SIR,

No. 143.

TREASURY to COLONIAL OFFICE.

(Received January 31, 1903.)

[Answered by No. 146.]

Treasury Chambers, January 30, 1903. I HAVE laid before the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury Mr. Lucas's letter of the 3rd instant (51123/1902),† submitting, by direction of the Secretary of State for the Colonies the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure of the Dependency of Wei-hai-Wei for 1903-4.

These estimates are expressed in sterling, instead of in dollars as last year. The change does not appear to this Board to be an improvement, especially as for purposes of conversion the dollar has been taken at the fictitious rate or 2s.; and I am to suggest that in future both the Revenue and Expenditure should be shown in local currency, any sterling charges being converted at the current rate of exchange. The grant-in-aid necessary can then be calculated on the same basis.

Revenue.

The estimate of $31,713 shows an increase over that for the current year of $11,713. This increase is due to rents for property formerly occupied by the military authorities, and is uncertain, inasmuch as a portion of this property may be resumed by these authorities.

Expenditure.

The local estimate puts the proposed expenditure at £10,000 4s. This is an over-estimate, owing to the over-valuation of the dollar referred to above.

The only items which appear to call for special comment are:-

(1) Increase of the Commissioner's salary to £1,600, with free quarters; his existing entertainment allowance of £200 and house allowance of £150 to cease.

In view of the amount of the sterling salary now enjoyed by the Colonial Secre- tary at Hongkong, my Lords sanction payment of salary to the present Commis- sioner (who vacated that Colonial Secretaryship for the appointment) at the rate proposed. This salary should, however, be subject to reconsideration upon a

vacancy.

(2) Police and Gaol.-The proposed organisation of a Police Force appears to have formed the subject of correspondence between the Commissioner and your Department, which has not been communicated to this Board.

• No. 139.

† No. 188.