CO129-444 - Governor Sir May & Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1917 [10-12] — Page 226

A

222

officers has been arranged by small monthly instalments so that there may be no excuse for such officers again falling

into debt.

In one case the instalments per month were fixed at 30; in two others at 820; 2nd Grade Officers are required to pay $10; 3rd Grade, 87; 4th Grada, 86; 5th Grade 25, and 6th Grade, 83 per month.

Interest at the rate of 6% per annum will be

charged on all advances; in the first year on the total sum advanced, thereafter on the net sum to be repaid at the end

of each financial year.

The Board observed with regret the heavy indebt-

edness of officers at Tai Po and in the Sanitary Department in addition to the extravagance in the Railway Department to which allusion has already been made, and which calls for further investigation. It was very difficult to ascertain in individual cases whether the indebtedness we due to mis-

fortune or to extravagance but in two canes at least namely, those of lasers. Bowen of the Public Works Department and Costs of the General Post Office, Telegraph Sub-Department, there appears to be no doubt that extravagance is largely responsible for the heavy debts of the officers concerned. Mr. Bowen appears to be unable to live without new suits of clothing purchased at tailoring establishments such as "lioor Din" and wines, etc. far beyond his means, while Mr. Costa who has been through the Bankruptcy Court and received every assistance in settling his former debts, appears to have straightaway contracted fresh debts so that he is again in a mimilar position to that in which he was placed some years ago. Je are of opinion that the attention of all officers who have received assistance from Government should be drawn to General Order lio,60 and that the two above-named officers should be expressly warned that they will render themselves liable to

ļ