CO129-318 - Governor Sir Blake - 1903 [7-10] — Page 32

COPY.

Enclosure1

Honourable Director of Public Works.

Sir,

C.0.

0725

31

13 AUG 151 Public Works Department,

25th. June, 1903.

I have the honour to make herewith certain re-

presentations with regard to the salary paid me as Assistant Director of Public Works, which I should be obliged if you would

forward for the consideration of His Excellency the Governor.

1. When on vacation leave from the Colony of Trinidad

in January last, on reporting myself at the Colonial Office, I was

was offered the post of Assistant Director of Public Works of

Hongkong at a salary of £600 rising to £720 per annum. On my

demuring to the amount offered, being in receipt of the same sum

in Trinidad, the offer was increased to £660 rising to £720 in

3 years. This I was advised to accept, being informed at the

time at the Colonial Office that the salary attached to the post

had not been reduced.

2. On taking up my duties in the Colony I was sur- prised not only to find by the Colonial Estimates for the year that the salary put down for this post was $4,800 $5,400 (which at 3/- to the dollar.is equivalent to £720 - 810 per

annum) but that one of the Engineers of the Department is in receipt of a salary equivalent to £720 a year and another Engineer is on an incremental salary which will also amount to £720 a year at its maximum, which I can only attain after 3 years' service but can never exceed under the present terms of

the Colonial Office Appointment.

3.

Further, these Engineers.I understand when on leave will draw salary at the rate of £960 per annum ($4,800 at

4/-