CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922 — Page 7

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ADMIRALTY, 3.ħ.1. PEE 12 AN

C.R.18658/21.

13th January, 1922.

Sir,

I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that they have had under consideration a representation made by Captain Robert A.R.Neville, R.M.L.I. (a copy of which is enclosed) that his remuneration whilst holding the appointment of Aide-de-Camp to the Governor of Hong Kong is inadequate.

2.- The services of Captain Neville for this appointment were applied for by Colonial Office Letter on the 6th way, 1921, No.20800/21." At that time he was seconded for duty underar office, and that Department was duly informed that while holding the contemplated appointment he would not receive any pay from Naval Funds, in accordance with Rule 10 of the rules framed by the Treasury under Clause 6 of the Superannuation Act, 1887, which precludes the payment of any

effective or non-effective to an Officer on the Active fist helding any employment of profit under any Colonial Government not remunerated out of imperial funds. It appears, however, that this decision had not been communicated to Captain Neville before he left England.

3.- I am to explain that Captain Brooke-Short, RI., to whose case reference is made in Captain Neville's letter,is acting as Aide-de-Camp to the Governor of Bombay. My Lords were advised that this oppointment does not carry any emoluments from Indian revenues and they therefore decided that it did not come within the scope of the rule in question.

4.- In view of the circumstances revealed by Captain Neville Their Lordships reconsidered the question of his remuneration, and they formed the opinion that the payment of £300 per annum made to this officer is merely in the nature of an honorarium, and that he could not fairly be regarded as holding an "employment of profit" in the sense contemplated by the regulations. This view was represented to the Treasury on the 1st ultimo, and sanction was asked for the issue of half pay to Captain Neville. The Treasury replied (vide their letter of the 9th idem, 3.13378 of which a copy is enclosed) that they have no power to authorise the grant of half pay in this case, and pointed out,in effect, that Captain Neville must be regarded as holding an "Office of profit" within the meaning of the Rules made under Section 6 of the Superannuation Act, 1887 notwithstanding the fact that the profits of the appointment which he holds are petty.

5.- I am to request that the attention of the Secretary of State may be specially invited to the second paragraph of Captain Neville's Letter, and as the payment of half pay Under Secretary of State,

ODLONIAL OFFICE,5.M.1.