508
these, and some others of a similar nature, the actual cost has risen owing to the rise in the dollar value. For example, the quarterly tram ticket on the tram line to the Peak was $33; this at 1/8 is in sterling £10. At 9/6 it is £3.6.5.
Or to take so domestic a matter as the price of coals (an important item in housekeeping as it is in England). Coolie hire alone for carrying up a ton of coals to the Peak is 30 cents; this at 1 1/2 is in sterling 6d. At 2/2 1/2 is £0.10.
10
The wages of a Chinese boy less than 10 years ago were $15 a month: at the rate of Exchange then ruling, this represented in sterling 2/-, £1.4. The wages now are $16 a month, or at 2/2, £1.18.4.
All other wages have risen in proportion.
Further, the tendency in every item in which the Chinese are concerned is to rise in price irrespective of the value of the dollar. The Chinese servants are perpetually struggling for an advance of wages, and in the too frequent case of change of servants it is only with the greatest difficulty that new servants can be engaged at the rate paid to their predecessors. Wages are an important item being roughly not less than $100 a month, including 4 chair coolies for all classes of officers. There can be little doubt that the smaller items alluded to above together make a monthly total equivalent in amount to the rent.
77.
The statements which we have made as to the cost of living will, we are confident, be borne out by the unofficial members of the Council, and also by any of the numerous old residents of Hongkong now in England, should the Secretary of State be pleased to consult them.
8.
The Secretary of State has pointed out that in the matter of remittances the Civil Servants are no longer affected by the rate of exchange. This is undoubtedly true; but on the other hand, we would point out, first, that there are many officers who are permanent residents of the Colony, whose remittances have...
Į
508
these, and some others of a cinilar noture, the actual cost har
rison oring to the rise in the dollar o.. the quarterly tram ticket on the tram line it 330: thic at 1/8 ic in sterling e 10
at 9/ch it is £3.6.5
the
or to take so domestic a matter on the price of coals fac
important an item in housekeeping as it is in England)
coolie hire alone for carrying up a ton of coale to the Peak is
c.d.
s.d.
thie at 1/1⁄2 is in sterling 6. nt 2/23 is €.10.
10
The wages of a Chinece boy less than 10 years ago wELE
$15 a month: at the rate of Exchange then zuling, this reprecen- ted in sterling at 2/-, Cl.4. the wager now ure (16 a month, or at 2/2, 21.18.4.
All other wages have ricen in proportion.
Further, the tendency in every item in which the
Chinese are concerned is to rire in price irrespective of the
value of the dollar. The Chinece cervante are perpetunlly
struggling for an advance of wager, and in the too frequent cRDO
of change of servants it is only with the frontert difficulty
that new cervants can be engaged at the rate paid to their
predecessort. Fuges are an important item being roughly not lecc
than 100 a month, including 4 chair coolies for all classes of
officers. There can be little doubt that the smaller itenc
alluded to above together neke a monthly total equivalent in
ount to the rent.
77.
The statemento which we have made as to the cost of
living will we are confident be borne out by the unofficial
members of the Council, and alco by any of the numerour old
residents of liongkong now in Inglend, chould the Secretary of
Ctate be pleased to consult then.
8.
The Secretary of State hoe pointed out that in the
matter of romittances the Civil Cervants are no longer effected
by the rate of exchange. This is undoubtedly true; but on the
other hand we would point out, first, that there are many officerc
who are permanent residents of the Colony, whose remittancet hose
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