CO129-122 - Sir MacDonnell - 1867 [5-6] — Page 178

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

I regret that the explanation which it is my duty to furnish as regards items 1+3 will be far from satisfactory.

2. As regards the ground which I can discover for the payment of the full salary of Mr. Harvey for the month of August, it was the authority of the then Acting Governor conveyed in the then Colonial Secretary's letter in answer to Mr. Harvey's application, copy of which letter I have the honor to enclose.

3. From that letter taken in connection with the letter to which it is an answer, dated 21 October 1865, it would appear that the destitute condition of the applicant was the sole reason for granting him full salary for the month of August. An argument scarcely tenable in the case of even a meritorious public servant, but which in the case of a person who had broken his engagement and put the Government to inconvenience would seem to require further explanation. I am however unable to afford it as Mr. Mercer and Mr. Alexander are both absent in England.

4. The amount nevertheless is but small and seems now irrecoverable, Mr. Harvey having left the colony. I therefore trust Your Grace will accept this statement as a practical settlement of the question.

5. I am unable to explain why it was not reported that Mr. Harvey received the half salary to which he was entitled, the same having been unappropriated since the death of his predecessor, M. Sherman.

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I regret that the explanation which it is my duty to furnish as regards items 1+3 will be far from satisfactory. 2. As regards the ground which I can discover for the payment of the full salary of Mr. Harvey for the month of August, it was the authority of the then Acting Governor conveyed in the then Colonial Secretary's letter in answer to Mr. Harvey's application, copy of which letter I have the honor to enclose. 3. From that letter taken in connection with the letter to which it is an answer, dated 21 October 1865, it would appear that the destitute condition of the applicant was the sole reason for granting him full salary for the month of August. An argument scarcely tenable in the case of even a meritorious public servant, but which in the case of a person who had broken his engagement and put the Government to inconvenience would seem to require further explanation. I am however unable to afford it as Mr. Mercer and Mr. Alexander are both absent in England. 4. The amount nevertheless is but small and seems now irrecoverable, Mr. Harvey having left the colony. I therefore trust Your Grace will accept this statement as a practical settlement of the question. 5. I am unable to explain why it was not reported that Mr. Harvey received the half salary to which he was entitled, the same having been unappropriated since the death of his predecessor, M. Sherman.
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> reqret that the explanation which it is bust regret items 1+3 regards items my duty to furnish as regards will be far from sutisfactory. 2. Üs regardo ground which items 1+2 the only I can discover for the the payment of the full salary of Mr. Harvey for the month of August was the authouty of the then acting Acting Governer comeyed in the then lealonial Secretary's Letter in answer to Nor Haway's application, copy of which letter I have the honor to enclose. 3. From that letter taken in connection 21 October 1865 with the letter to which it is an answer, it would appear that the destitute condition of the applicant ww3 the sole reason for granting him full salary for the month of August. im argument scarcely tinable in the case of even a meritorious public senant but which in the case of a person who had broken his engagement and put the Government to inconvenience would seem مل require further explanation. I am however unable to afford it as Mr Mercer and both absent in England. Mr Alexander are 4. The amount nevertheles and seems now is but small inrecoverable, Mr Harvey having left the balony. I therefore trust Your Grace will a practical this statement as accept the question. settlement of M. Harvey received the half Salary 5. which he Avas been entitled the same to having of I am unable unappropriated since the death M = Sherman. his predecessor to explain why it was not reparted.
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>

reqret that the explanation which it is

bust regret

items 1+3

regards items

my duty to furnish as regards

will be far from sutisfactory.

2.

Üs

regardo ground which

items 1+2 the only

I

can discover

for the

the payment

of the full salary of Mr. Harvey for the

month of August

was

the authouty of

the

then

acting

Acting Governer comeyed in the then

lealonial Secretary's

Letter in answer

to Nor Haway's application, copy of which

letter I have the honor to enclose.

3.

From that letter taken in connection

21 October 1865

with the letter to which it is an answer,

it would

appear that the destitute condition

of the applicant

ww3

the sole reason for

granting him full salary for the month of August.

im argument scarcely tinable in the

case

of

even a meritorious public senant but which in the case of a person who

had broken his

engagement

and put the

Government to inconvenience would seem

مل

require further explanation. I am however unable to afford it as Mr Mercer and

both absent in England.

Mr Alexander are

4.

The

amount nevertheles

and seems now

is but small

inrecoverable, Mr Harvey

having left the balony. I therefore trust

Your Grace will

a

practical

this statement as

accept

the

question.

settlement

of

M. Harvey received the half Salary

5.

which he

Avas

been

entitled the same

to

having

of

I am unable

unappropriated since the death M = Sherman.

his predecessor

to

explain why it was not reparted.

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