CO129-391 - Acting Governor Claud Severn Governor Sir May - 1912 [7-8] — Page 33

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for 6 months from the 1st. of May last on which

date my wife and family left for the north.

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11.

4. During the middle of May I was informed

unofficially of the transfer of Mr. Brayn my 1st. Assistant Auditor to Nyassaland. I at once informed this Government verbally of my information, and

a cable was sent to London for confirmation. This

transfer was ultimately confirmed by your despatch No.110 of 20th. April, 1912 and cable of the gth. June last. In addition to Mr. Brayn's transfer my

Chief Clerk Mr. Paget Heathcote fell sick with

facial paralysis which has necessitated his

detention in the Government Civil Hospital for

one month, and has since been ordered to Japan

on 2 months vacation leave. This reduced the staff

from 4 Europeans to 2, and neither the Government

nor myself felt justified in my leaving the entire

work of the department to one European, I have

therefore been compelled to postpone my annual tour

of inspection and cancel my leave. These unforeseen

circumstances have frustrated all my plans and have

entailed great financial loss to me, from the very

fact that I have to keep an establishment in

Weihaiwei whilst at the same time I have to live

in Hongkong. This extra expenditure coupled with

the present high rate of exchange, over which I

am alone losing nearly an eighth of my salary during the last eight months, I can ill afford. The rent

alone of a furnished room in Hongkong costs me a

hundred dollars a month besides all other incidental

expenses which are absolutely indispensable. I would