CO129-121 - Sir MacDonnell - 1867 [3-4] — Page 184

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

As pointed out however with third paragraph of our memorial, the small means at our disposal — our salaries being hardly sufficient to cover ordinary expenditure — make it impossible for most of us to take advantage of these vacations. Travelling about China and Japan is so expensive and in the summer (the time when the vacation should be taken) it is necessary to go so far to reach a moderately cool climate, that it may be fairly said the cost of one of these vacation trips is not less than a passage home. On these absences moreover Officers cannot give up their houses and Establishments at Hongkong and there is therefore no advantage in full pay over half pay on a long leave.

Even admitting nevertheless that there may be officers whose private means might allow of their availing themselves of these vacations — how rarely do the exigencies of the service permit of it. One of the first essentials to going away is to obtain the aid of another Officer to perform the absent Officer's duties, but in how few instances can another Officer be found able and willing to undertake, during the heat of the Summer, double work without extra remuneration.

The difficulties found to exist in utilizing the permission to have four months leave once in two years are best shown by stating that during the 13 years which have elapsed since the date of the Duke of Newcastle's despatch, we can really call to mind two only instances in which the indulgence has been taken advantage of.

Diversity in the application of the rule regarding leave of absence in England is admitted; the period for which leave can be granted varies with different cases.

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As pointed out however with third paragraph of our memorial, the small means at our disposal our salaries being hardly sufficient to cover ordinary expenditure make it impossible for most of us to take advantage of these vacations. Travelling about China and Japan is so expensive and in the summer (the time when the vacation should be taken) it is necessary to go so far to reach a moderately cool climate, that it may be fairly said the cost of one of these vacation trips is not less than a passage home. On these absences moreover Officers cannot give up their houses and Establishments at Hongkong and there is therefore no advantage in full pay over half pay on a long leave. Even admitting nevertheless that there may be officers whose private means might allow of their availing themselves of these vacations how rarely do the exigencies of the service permit of it. One of the first essentials to going away is to obtain the aid of another Officer to perform the absent Officer's duties, but in how few instances can another Officer be found able and willing to undertake, during the heat of the Summer, double work without extra remuneration. The difficulties found to exist in utilizing the permission to have four months leave once in two years are best shown by stating that during the 13 years which have elapsed since the date of the Duke of Newcastle's despatch, we can really call to mind two only instances in which the indulgence has been taken advantage of. Diversity in the application of the rule regarding leave of absence in England is admitted; the period for which leave can be granted varies with different cases.
Baseline (Original)
As pointed out however with third paragraphy of our memorial, the small meaus at our disposal our salaries being hardly sufficient to cover ordinary cxpedition under it impossible for most of us to take advantage of these vacations. Travelling about Cuina and dapor is so So expensive and in the summer (the time (the time when the vacation should be taken) it is recessary to go so far to reach a moderately cool climate, that it may be fairly said the cost of one of these vacation tips is not less than a passage home. On these absences morcover Officers cannot give up their houses and Establishments at Hingkong and there. is therefore no advantage in full pay such a lease over half pay ou a long Even admitting nevertheless that there may be officers whose private. might armit of their availing themselves of no nie. meaus 179 these vacations _ how rarely do the exigencies the service permit of it. - one of the first Essentials to going away is to obtain the aid. of a hother Officer to perform the absent- Efficers duties, but in how few instances can a hotter Officer be found alle and to undertake, during the heat of the Summer double work without extra remuneration willing The difficulties found to exist in utilizing the permission to have four mouths leave once iw two fears are best Thoww by stating that during the 13 pears which have clapsed. Since the date of the Duke of Newcastle's despatch, We can ruly call to muid two only instances in which the indulgence has been taken advantage of: Diversity in the application of the ruke regarding leave of absence in England admitted in many for the period. cases for for which leave can be granted varies wit different
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As pointed out however with third paragraphy of our memorial, the small meaus at our disposal — our salaries being hardly sufficient to cover ordinary cxpedition under it impossible for most of us to take advantage of these vacations. Travelling about Cuina and dapor is so

So expensive and in the summer (the time

(the time when the vacation should be taken) it is recessary to go so far to reach a moderately cool climate, that it may be fairly said the cost of one of these vacation tips is not less than a passage home. On these absences morcover Officers cannot give up their houses and Establishments at Hingkong and there. is therefore no advantage in full pay such a lease over half pay ou a long

Even admitting nevertheless that there may be officers whose private. might armit of their availing themselves of

no

nie.

meaus

179

these vacations _ how rarely do the exigencies

the service permit of it.

- one of the first Essentials to going away is to obtain the aid. of a hother Officer to perform the absent- Efficers duties, but in how few instances can a hotter Officer be found alle and to undertake, during the heat of the Summer

double work without extra remuneration

willing

The difficulties found to exist in utilizing the permission to have four mouths leave once iw two fears are best Thoww by stating that during the 13 pears which have clapsed. Since the date of the Duke of Newcastle's despatch,

We can ruly call to muid two

only instances in which the indulgence has been taken advantage of:

Diversity in the application of the ruke

regarding leave of absence in England admitted in many

for the period.

cases for

for which leave can be granted varies wit

different

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