CO129-317 - Governor Sir Blake - 1903 [4-6] — Page 389

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4.

therefore, that my chances of promotion to the Senior Grade must be, for many years, extremely small. I understand, moreover, that Masters at Queen's Coolege are now ineligible for appointments to posts in other branches of the Service, or at any rate that restrictions have

been placed on such transference.

4.

The Colonial Office told me certainly that "the cost of living was high" and that."£270 would not go as far in Hongkong

as in England", but gave me no more definite information, and I was

compelled to form my estimate from the statements of people who were

in Hongkong when prices were very much lower than they are now. As

things are.I think that my prospects.in England are distinctly brighter

than those held out by Queen's College and it is this fact, rather than

any feeling of disappointment or disillusionment with regard to the

school or its work, that has caused my desire to return home.

5.

I was given no information as to the climate, and

was again compelled to form my opinion from unofficial sources. :I was

led to believe that there was no danger to be apprehended. Had I known

that the climate was distinctly unhealthy for a considerable part of

the year I certainly should not have aacepted the post on the condition

that if I should be compelled to retire owing to ill-health before completing 10 years' service., I should not be entitled to any pension. I see now that I run this risk, and in the event of my not being able

to stand the climate. I should find it very difficult to obtain a good

post in England after staying here for three or four years.

6.

My desire to return so soon after my arrival comes,

partly, from my wish to avoid staying in Hongkong during the summer, but chiefly from the knowledge that, if I do not return immediately, I shall get out of touch with the scholastic world at home, and my

prospects will be much impaired.

I have only to add that .I am now aware that the information I received was not sufficient to warrant my acceptance of

the