284
for the class, but less than that proposed by him for the next higher class; and in the sixth class I have placed all who draw less than $720, the average proposed by him for the fifth class.
The foregoing tables shew an expenditure of $101,176 on 85 clerks, or $1,190 a piece on the average; and according to classes an average of-
$3,276 for 1st class.
$2,348, 2nd 17
$1,693
3rd "}
$1,208 4th
"}
$ 808 5th
$ 475
>>
}}
97
6th
If we distribute the 85 clerks into 6 classes according to the numbers in each of the classes just mentioned, and assign to each class the salary contemplated by the Secretary of State, taking as the average pay in each class half the total of the minimum and maximum pay thereof, we arrive at the following result:-
1st class clerks 6 average $2,340 = $14,040
2nd
7
""
$1,800 = $12,600
3rd
15
22
>>
$1,880
$20,700
4th
9
$1,020
$9,180
5th
18
$ 720
$12,960
6th
30
$ 420 = $12,600
22
$82,080
This gives an average yearly salary of about $965 for each clerk, and shews a saving of $19,010 on the present expenditure.
The Treasurer's scheme in C.S.O. 488, forwarded to the Secretary of State with despatch No. 88 of 15th March last, provides for 63 clerks. It is not quite clear what he intended the pay of the sixth class to be, but assuming it to be $48 a month, the scheme shews an average yearly salary of $1,239 for each of the 63 clerks.
It will be seen therefore that the average yearly salary as provided in the Estimates for 1892 for the clerks (85 in number) is $1,189; that according to the Secretary of State's scheme it would be $965; and that according to the Trea- surer's scheme (for 63 clerks) it would be $1,239.
In my mninute of 3rd instant, I shewed that in Singapore the average clerical salary is $735, in Mauritius, the equivalent of $744, and in Ceylon, the equivalent of $373. I see no reason why in Hongkong it should greatly exceed the highest of these amounts. I entirely agree, if I may be allowed to say so, in the opinion expressed in a despatch which I have recently seen by the Secretary of State that it is undesirable to bring out men from England to fill clerkships in this Colony; and for Chinese and Portuguese clerks I consider the existing rates of pay to be, almost without an exception, altogether excessive. The rates shewn in the sub- joined table, which I submit for consideration, are in my opinion amply liberal.
Monthly pay.
1st class 6 clerks $150 to $200, average $175 = $1,050
2nd
7
120 to 140,
12
130= $ 910
""
??
3rd
15
80 to
100,
90
15
$1,350
"J
22
4th
5th
6th
9
60 to
22
21
70,
65
$ 585
18
45 to
55,
11
>"
30
30 to
40,
57
"}
50
35 =
$ 900
$1,050
$ 5,840 12
$70,080
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