CO129-286 - Acting Governor Major Gen Black Governor Sir Blake & Public Offices - 1898 [11-12] — Page 609

Hong Kong 16/1052.

602 591

C. O.

20639

REC

RE 14 SEP 3

WAR OFFICE,

London, S.W,

8th September 1898.

1

Sir,

February

With reference to your letter of the 7th

1883, (1478/83), sanctioning revised rates of

lodging money for officers at Hong Kong, I am directed

by the Secretary of State for War to acquaint you for the

information of the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's

Treasury, that the General Officer Commanding at Hong Kong reported a few months ago that ever since he assumed

the command in the year 1895 the officers stationed there

have constantly represented to him the insufficiency of

the lodging allowance.

He had, from a desire not to increase expendi-

ture, insisted, somewhat unduly as he afterwards found, upon the officers doing their best with the present rates, but at length after full inquiries felt himself bound to recommend an increase in the rates.

The Secretary

(2) He proposed an increase which ranged from 21 per cent for one class to 106 per cent for another, involving an increased annual expenditure of about $1,700.

(3) The question has been much considered, and as the result of further particulars obtained from the General Officer Commanding and of information he has procured from a limited Company who act as agents for a very large

propertien

To the Treasury,

Whitehall,

S.W.