CO129-447 - Governor Sir May - 1918 [1-3] — Page 523

:

€96.

sir.

ت

27172

515

BEC

REG? 4 JUN (8)

GOVERNMENT HOUSE.

HONGKONG. 23rd. March, 1918.

Giv -495-2

Referring to your Despatch No. 14 of the 10th. January, 1918, I have the honour to state that the payments queried were made in the following circumstances.

2.

It was necessary to grant Mr. Franks, Assistant Superintendent, Victoria Gaol, leave of absence owing to ill- -health, and Mr. Melbourne volunteered to take charge of the Gaol. Mr. Melbourne at the same time carried on his duties as Deputy Registrar at the Supreme Court, where the staff was short-handed owing to the absence of the Second Deputy Regis- -trar and a very large part of the work at the Gaol was done before and after office hours. In the circumstances I granted Mr. Melbourne an allowance of £150 a month.

3.

Owing to the seconding of certain of the Educational Staff for active service, it was found necessary to place Mr. Birbeck, Headmaster of the Indian School, in charge also of the Wantsai School. In remuneration of his additional duties I granted to him an allowance of $50 a month.

4.

I regret that, through an oversight, these allowances were not reported for your covering authority.

I have the honour to be, Sir,

Your most obedient,

humble servant,

B Governor, &c..

RIGHT HONOURABLE

WALTER LONG, M.P.,

&c. ..

&c.,

&C..