COPY
December 1st, 1915. 337
¡
Er Biden,
I have now completed three years service as 2nd
Class overseer in the Waterworks Department, and according
to a letter I received from the Hon. Director of Public Works
at the time of joining, have reasonable prospects of being
placed on the permanent staff. If this is done, I beg to
apply for promotion to the rank of 1st Class overseer, 18 I
cannot manage on my present salary, which is quite inauffi-
oient to cope with the increased cost of living in the Colony.
I served my apprenticeship at the engineering trade,
with Messrs R.Moreland and Son, London, after which I worked
as Journeyman, in various shops in London, from all of which,
I have the best of references, which can be seen if required.
I then came to Hongkong in June 1907, and joined the Indo-
China 3team Navigation Company, obtained 2nd and Chief En-
gineers Certificates, and served on various steamers, as 4th,
3rd, 2nd and Chief Engineer, leaving in 1912 to join the Public
Works Department. It may be said that there are senior men in
other departments, who have not yet been promoted to 1st class
but I believe these have not served an apprenticeship, and do
not think they should be placed on the same footing as over- seers in the Waterworks, as a better training is required in
·
the Waterworks, than in other departments. I received an
increase of £10 per annum last year, but this will be practi-
cally neutralized by the contribution to the Widows and Or-
phans' Fund, if I am taken on the permanent staff. It has
cost the Government nothing in my case for passages from Eng-
land, and I shall have to bear the cost of this for my wife
shortly, aa Dr Koch says she must not stay here another summer.
I myself have never been onoe sick since coming to Hongkong.
I hope you will consider my application favourably, and see
your way to granting it, as I think the reasons I have stated
justify the promotion.
I am
(Sa)
Youre obediently,
0 J.Taochi
1
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.