CO129-404 - Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1913 [10-12] — Page 201

COPY.

Sir,

43835

IRE. ¡REE: 22 OFC 13

Audit Department,

Hongkong, 31st. October, 1913.

197

I have the honour to request that you will be good

enough to forward and recommend to the Auditor for his favourable consideration my application for a gratuity.

2. As you are aware the work of this department has been exceptionally heavy this summer, and since April last we have been shorthanded owing to the absence on duty, leave and sick leave of absence of various officers, in fact on more than one occasion there has actually been one half of the staff away. This has naturally thrown a very large proportion of the work of the absent officers on my shoulders and necessitated me working in the office often till nearly midnight in order to keep abreast with the work. The strain has been very great, and I attribute the break -down of my eyesight (which has caused me to take to glasses) to

this cause.

3.

I feel assured that you consider that I have performed my onerous duties both conscientiously and well during one of the most trying periods that I think the Audit Dept. has experienced.

I have etc.,

(Sd.) P. Heathcote,

Senior Clerk.

The 1st. Asst. Auditor.