CO129-292 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [6-8] — Page 127

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

125

The Watchmen keep watch by day and by night on the Tower at the Central Fire Station and elsewhere in the City for outbreaks of fire, and also act as Firemen at fires.

They also assist in cleaning Engines, hose, and other gear.

I regret to say that it is an easy matter to demonstrate that this Staff is not sufficiently paid to induce it to stop on in the Brigade.

In the year 1898 I lost through resignation 1 Stoker and 4 Watchmen, while a seventh watchman deserted and two more were dismissed as useless. Total casualties 10 out of a Staff (excluding Engine Drivers) of 33. This year to date I have lost 5 of the 10 Firemen (3 by resignation and 2 by dismissal) whose pay was fixed at $10 in O.S. 1898 as it was found impossible to get men at $7.50 as recommended in O.S. 1896.

Casualties among the Watchmen have not occurred this year as yet, because the men have been waiting to see whether they would get an increase of pay out of the proposed increase to the Salaries of Chinese employés in the Government Service for which a vote of $14,000 stands in the Estimates for the year. It is apparent from the above that in the space of 17 months

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125 The Watchmen keep watch by day and by night on the Tower at the Central Fire Station and elsewhere in the City for outbreaks of fire, and also act as Firemen at fires. They also assist in cleaning Engines, hose, and other gear. I regret to say that it is an easy matter to demonstrate that this Staff is not sufficiently paid to induce it to stop on in the Brigade. In the year 1898 I lost through resignation 1 Stoker and 4 Watchmen, while a seventh watchman deserted and two more were dismissed as useless. Total casualties 10 out of a Staff (excluding Engine Drivers) of 33. This year to date I have lost 5 of the 10 Firemen (3 by resignation and 2 by dismissal) whose pay was fixed at $10 in O.S. 1898 as it was found impossible to get men at $7.50 as recommended in O.S. 1896. Casualties among the Watchmen have not occurred this year as yet, because the men have been waiting to see whether they would get an increase of pay out of the proposed increase to the Salaries of Chinese employés in the Government Service for which a vote of $14,000 stands in the Estimates for the year. It is apparent from the above that in the space of 17 months 3945 2611

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" 125 The Watchmen keep watch by day and by night on the Tower at the Central Fire Station and elsewhere in the City for out- breaks of fire, and also act as Firemen at fires. They also assist in cleaning Engines, hose, and other gear. I regret to say that it is an easy matter to demons- trade that this Staff is not sufficiently paid to induce it to stop on in the Brigade. In the year 1898 I lost through resignation 1 Stoker and & Watchmen, while a seventh watchmen deserted and two more were dismissed as useless. Total casualties 10 out of a Staff (excluding Engine Drivers) of 33. This year to date I have lost 5 of the 10 Firemen (3 by resignation and 2 by dismissal) whose 3945 pay was fixed at $10 in 0.8.0. 1898 as it was found impossi- 2611 ble to get men at $7.50 as recommended in 0.8.0. 1896 Casulties among the Watchmen have not occurred this year as yet, because the men have been waiting to see whether they would get an increase of pay out of the proposed increase to the Salaries of Chinese employés in the Government Service for which a vote of $14,000 stands in the Estimates for the year. It is apparent from the above that in the space of 17 months

2026-05-31 04:39:17 · Baseline

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125

The Watchmen keep watch by day and by night on the Tower at

the Central Fire Station and elsewhere in the City for out-

breaks of fire, and also act as Firemen at fires.

They also assist in cleaning Engines, hose, and other

gear.

I regret to say that it is an easy matter to demons-

trade that this Staff is not sufficiently paid to induce it to

stop on in the Brigade.

In the year 1898 I lost through resignation 1 Stoker

and & Watchmen, while a seventh watchmen deserted and two more

were dismissed as useless. Total casualties 10 out of a Staff

(excluding Engine Drivers) of 33. This year to date I have lost

5 of the 10 Firemen (3 by resignation and 2 by dismissal) whose

3945

pay was fixed at $10 in 0.8.0. 1898 as it was found impossi-

2611

ble to get men at $7.50 as recommended in 0.8.0. 1896

Casulties among the Watchmen have not occurred this

year as yet, because the men have been waiting to see whether

they would get an increase of pay out of the proposed increase

to the Salaries of Chinese employés in the Government Service

for which a vote of $14,000 stands in the Estimates for the

year. It is apparent from the above that in the space of 17

months

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