CO129-454 - Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1919 [4-6] — Page 380

376

Customs Service in England. I would, therefore, retain the classification proposed by the Commissioners and increase the

salaries as follows:-

Chief Revenue Officer, £450 to £550 by £20 annually.

lat. Class Revenue

}

£350 to £420 by £10 annually.

Gen

2nd.

19.

-

Officers

do.

£250 to £320 by £10 amually.

I agree generally with the recommenda-

-tions of the Commissioners as regards the classification and salaries of Overseers in the Public Works Department, Land Bailiffs and Sanitary Inspectors. I also agree with the salary proposed for the Inspector of Stores, Public Works Department, namely, £400 to £550 by £10 annually.

20.

The Commissioners have extended their

recommendations to the Clerical Service and General Establish- -ments recruited locally, but until the policy of the Government as regards the provision of quarters for all such officers has been decided I am of opinion that it would be better to make no changes in the present salaries. If it were not for the very high rents now paid the salaries would be ample, and the ten per centum allowance which has been grant- -ed goes far to remedy that difficulty temporarily. It is by no means an impossible task to build suitable quarters though it will take several years to carry it into effect. When the improved means of communication both in Victoria and Kowloon now under consideration have been provided several excellent sites for such quarters will become available. I propose to lay the matter before Mr. Stubba, and I would, therefore, suggest that this part of the recommendations of the Commissioners may be held in abeyance. I consider, however, that pending provision of quarters, a rent allowance of 20 per centum on salary should be granted in place of the ten per centum allowance which is now paid.

21.

In paragraph 4 of my Despatch of the 15th.

34023/19 April I stated that I would deal with the question of

quarters