CO129-204 - Acting Governor Marsh - 1882 [11-12] — Page 274

that no

constables now in the Force

will be allowed married quarters

if they choose to

marry before

attaining the rank of Sergeant.

I have the honour to be

My Lord.

Your Lordship's Most Obedient

Humble Servant,

For Official reference only.

B.

Bue

c. 0.

2000

HONGKONG 87

POLICE PENSIONS AND GRATUITIES.

Minute by the Officer Administering the Government.

269

In my despatch 169 of 24th August last, I promised to address the Secretary of State more fully on the subject of Police Pensions, the amount of which is steadily in- creasing every year, as will be seen by the enclosure, and will in my opinion continue to increase probably for the next 10 years, before the maximum is attained.

2. Under the existing rules made by the Governor in Council, which do not appear

to have been ever sent home for approval, and copy of which is annexed, a pension is granted to any member of the Force who has served ten years, at the rate of 1% of his annual pay, and for every complete year's service after ten years' an addition of part is made. This rule is applied to the whole force whether natives of Hongkong or China, Sikhs, or Europeans, and in deciding whether Chinese and Indians should continue to be allowed to reckon five years additional as well as Europeans, the rates of pay given to the different races should I think be taken into consideration. These are as follows:--

Chinese.

Europeans.

Indians.

Land.

Water.

1st Class,.

$480

$186

$168

$96

2nd Class,

$444

$162

$132

$84

3rd Class,

$408

$150

$108

X

Administering the Government.

hes.

there's

3. A superannuation allowance in lieu of pension, calculated at five times the annual pension, may be given on the application of the Grantee, or when there is a difficulty in effecting periodical payments of pensions at the residence of the Pensioner. The Chinese prefer in nearly every case to take the superannuation allowance or com- muted pension, which enables them to return to their native villages and to purchase land or to open a small shop, but Governor HENNESSY, it will be seen, preferred paying pensions. After the decision referred to in the annexure, a petition was presented signed by 127 Chinese Members of the Force praying for reconsideration thereof, but it was not listened to, and as may be seen in the Blue Book of 1881, 21 Chinese Members were after this decision pensioned. Only one Chinese name will be found in the pension list previous to this. As the regulation leaves it to the discretion of the Governor (in Council) whether a pension or a superannuation allowance should be given, I have not hesitated to approve of applications for the latter that have been made to me, supported by a medical certificate that the Constable retiring is in good health. In that case not only is the wish of the pensioner gratified, but a considerable saving is effected by pay.

ing a commuted sum in full for all claims.