CO129-419 - Individuals - 1914 — Page 404

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ized as a "strong case", H.E. adding, "Xr Wood's case is a

"special one meriting special attention." In Mr Secretary Harcourt's despatch No.91 of 6th April 1911, he approved of the Governor's proposal "having regard to the special circum--- *stances of his case" after consideration of his "position "and prospects". The despatch practically repeats the sub- stance of H. E's despatch to which it is a reply, and I have always read its meaning in the same light as I have explained in regard to the Governor's despatch. I have pointed out that the Governor's recommendat ion was based on "personal" grounds existing in 1911, and it would seem that if suffi- cient grounds then existed for granting me the maximum allow- ance of 2120 in the event of no-promotion in the interim,

they must still exist. I hope in that connection that the lapse of time, together with the performance of my duties, may have in the meantime strengthened my "personal" claims, and in support of that atatement I may be allowed to state

instances in which I hope that I may have succeeded in doing

BO.

From September 1912 to September 1913 I was acting as

Assessor of Rates in addition to my own duties, and whilst

doing so it happened to be a period during which several

Eatters of an unusual nature required attention. The col-

lection of material for the preparation of a report on the

fluctuations of rent values in Hong Kong and Kowloon for a

period of ten years, and the reasons for such fluctuations,

involved such time in enquiry and calculations, and was

largely done outside of official hours.

There were numerous minor reports on the same subject

leading up to the chief one, for which H.. Sir Henry May

was pleased to personally thank me. In connect ion with the

Tramway Boycott and the ordinance introduced in Council in

6.