CO129-292 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [6-8] — Page 258

COPY.

ENCLOSURE

MINUTE BY THE CAPTAIN SUPT.OF POLICE.

20023

256

REC Red 7 AUG 19

Hon. Colonial Secretary,

Mr. E. St.J.Lawson, District Supt.of Police at

Bangkok and formerly in the Indian North West Provinces Police

is at present in Hong-Kong and I have taken the opportunity

to question him concerning the prospects of getting a Gazet-

ted Police Officer (that is an Officer who is a gentleman and

who has joined as an Executive Officer) for the pay recommend-

ed by me viz.,$250 a month rising to $300.

Mr.Lawson informs me that in his Province or

in the Punjab a man worth his salt' would in 3 years service

be drawing 500 rupees plus 10% for exchange compensation plus

50 rupees travelling allowance a month, for a considerable por-

tion of the year (i.e.while officiating as a District Super-

intendent) and that in 5 years service such a man would be

a District Superintendent and would permanently draw that pay

till promoted. He adds that promotion is good as the Service

is large and concludes by saying that $250 a month plus ex-

change compensation and quarters would not tempt a man in vie-w

of the difference in cost of living here and in India and

the smallness of this Force and consequent lack of promotion.

Five hundred and fifty rupees a month = $372.25

so that to get a good man of not less than 2 years service the

least