CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4] — Page 128

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@ducational officers two months more full pay leave, count-

-ing school vacations, in every period of six years than

ordinary civil officers. At that time these officers had 4

months' vacation leave in every two years. If they took

this leave as it became due during 6 years' residence they

could only have two months' full pay leave when taking the

half-pay leave in England to which they became entitled

after this residence. Education officers who had two months

full pay leave corresponding to the school vacations in each

year of residence became entitled on the new ruling to 4

months' full pay leave when taking their half-pay leave in

England. Against this advantage had to be set the fact that

vacation leave not in connection with half-pay leave could

be made use of by other than education officers for visits

to Japan and more remote countries while the shortness of

the school vacations did not allow this te education

officers. A new condition of affairs was, however, created

by Lord Ripon's Despatch No. 200 dated the 14th. December,

17953

93 1893, which laid down that the period of vacation leave at

Hongkong would in future, as in the Straits Settlements

and other Colonies, not exceed three months in every two

years. The Despatch went on to say that this new rule would

not of course apply to officers already in the service but

that