CO129-226 - Acting Governor Marsh - 1886 [4-5] — Page 211

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

3.

The great fall in the purchasing value of the current coin of this Colony, the Mexican dollar, presents a difficulty;

4.

The first batch of recruits were enlisted in 1871 at £100 a year each. The value of the dollar being then about 4/2, no difficulty arose as to their payout on arrival; they received forty dollars a month, which is the equivalent of one hundred pounds a year at the Colonial Government rate (Ordinance 1 of 1864) of 4/2 the dollar.

5.

The dollar continuing to fall, the pay was increased in 1887 to forty-five dollars a month, but with the proviso that they should serve fifteen years instead of ten years before receiving pensions.

6.

The depreciation of the dollar has continued; it is now only 3/38 or fifty dollars and forty cents a month as the equivalent of one hundred pounds a year; in other words, the purchasing value of the dollar is more than seventy per cent loss through the rate at which the Colonial Government disburses it.

7.

Having caused confidential inquiry to be made, I learn that the large majority of those who have joined during the past three years should be receiving pensions from the necessity that they serve instead of ten years. Owing to dissatisfaction from these causes, they do not propose to stay in the force after the completion of their first period of five years' service.

8.

Hence, I would most respectfully submit for the consideration of His Excellency the difficulty caused by the depreciation of the dollar.

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3. The great fall in the purchasing value of the current coin of this Colony, the Mexican dollar, presents a difficulty; 4. The first batch of recruits were enlisted in 1871 at £100 a year each. The value of the dollar being then about 4/2, no difficulty arose as to their payout on arrival; they received forty dollars a month, which is the equivalent of one hundred pounds a year at the Colonial Government rate (Ordinance 1 of 1864) of 4/2 the dollar. 5. The dollar continuing to fall, the pay was increased in 1887 to forty-five dollars a month, but with the proviso that they should serve fifteen years instead of ten years before receiving pensions. 6. The depreciation of the dollar has continued; it is now only 3/38 or fifty dollars and forty cents a month as the equivalent of one hundred pounds a year; in other words, the purchasing value of the dollar is more than seventy per cent loss through the rate at which the Colonial Government disburses it. 7. Having caused confidential inquiry to be made, I learn that the large majority of those who have joined during the past three years should be receiving pensions from the necessity that they serve instead of ten years. Owing to dissatisfaction from these causes, they do not propose to stay in the force after the completion of their first period of five years' service. 8. Hence, I would most respectfully submit for the consideration of His Excellency the difficulty caused by the depreciation of the dollar.
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3. The great fell in the purchasing value of the current coin of this Colony, the allexican dollar, present a difficulty; 4. The first batch of recruits - were each. enlisted in 1871 al ₤100 a year The value the doller being then or of of the about 4/2 no difficulty arose as to their payout on arrival, they received forty dollars a month which is the equivalent of one hundred pounds a year at the Colonial Government rate ( Ordinance 1 of 186 41 ) of 44/2 the dollar. 5. the pay The dollar continuing to fall, was increased in 1887 to forty five dollars month, but with the proviso that the fiftuur, a should serve instead of ten years before receiving pensions . 6 The depreciation of the dollar has contined; it is 208 ADU AVOT only 3/38 or fifty dollars and forty cents a month as the equivalent of hundred pounds a year; valice th seven ane in other words the purchasing of the dollar is mon than livesety per cent loss thou the rate at which the Colonial Government disburses it. ༣༩ Having caund confidential inquiry, to be made Ilearn that the large majority, of now who have Peritance during joined from the past three from the ncccesity that they Seftione instead of tow t to Great. year. should of the years before. ard ecrve receiving pression from these causes do not propose to stay in the force after the completion of their fort period of five years service. 8. Hence I would wost rester trestreatfully His Excellency submit for the consideration of dollar
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3.

The great fell in the purchasing

value of the current coin

of this Colony, the allexican dollar, present a difficulty;

4.

The first batch of recruits -

were

each.

enlisted in 1871 al ₤100 a year

The value

the doller being then or

of

of the about 4/2 no difficulty

arose as

to

their payout on arrival, they received forty dollars a month which is the equivalent of one hundred pounds a year at the Colonial Government rate ( Ordinance 1 of 186 41 ) of 44/2 the dollar.

5.

the pay

The dollar continuing to fall,

was increased in 1887 to forty five dollars month, but with the proviso that the

fiftuur,

a

should

serve

instead of ten years before

receiving pensions .

6

The depreciation of the

dollar has contined; it is

208

ADU AVOT

only 3/38 or fifty dollars and forty cents a month as the equivalent of

hundred pounds a year;

valice

th

seven

ane

in other words

the purchasing of the dollar is mon than livesety per cent loss thou the rate

at which the Colonial Government disburses it.

༣༩

Having caund confidential inquiry,

to be made Ilearn that the large majority,

of

now who have

Peritance during

joined from the past three

from the ncccesity that they

Seftione

instead of tow

t to

Great.

year. should

of the years before.

ard

ecrve

receiving pression from these causes do not propose to stay in the force after the

completion of their fort period of five

years

service.

8.

Hence I would wost rester

trestreatfully

His Excellency

submit for the consideration of

dollar

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