Sessional_Paper_1897 — Page 518

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(Under-Secretary of State to the Governor.)

HONGKONG.

No. 164.

SIR,

DOWNING STREET,

31st July, 1896.

With reference to the correspondence noted in the margin * I have the honour to enclose for your consideration and report a copy of an application for increase of salary from Mr. CHATHAM, Executive Engineer in the l'ublic Works Department, Hongkong, and I shall be glad to know whether or not you consider that his pay should be increased.

I have the honour to be, Sir,

Your most obedient,

humble Servant,

EDWARD WINGFIELD, (for the Secretary of State).

Governor

Sir W. ROBINSON, K.C.M.G.,

&em

&c.,

fc.

SIR

Enclosure.

(Mr. Chatham to Under-Secretary of Stale.)

25, PITT STREET, EDINBURGH, 25th July, 1896.

Having completed six years' service as Executive Engineer in the Public Works Department, Hongkong, I take the opportunity of being here to lay before you my claim for an increase of salary, as Mr. LUCAS, with whom I have spoken on the subject, informs me that such a course would be permissible, and to support the same with the following statement.

2. My permanent salary remains the same as at the date of my appointment, namely, $300 per month.

3. During the period of six years I have had principal charge, under the direction of the Honourable F. A. COOPER, of works costing in the aggregate over $800,000.

· These works, of which I enclose a detailed statement, have been of a very varied nature, and some of them of considerable magnitude and importance, including the Central Market. Mr. MATTHEWS, of Messrs. CoODE, SON & MATTHEWS, when in Hongkong inspected that work, and I feel sure he will be pleased to testify to the excellence of it.

4.*I would particularly direct your attention to the fact that in no case has the cost of the work exceeded the amount of the vote, and in several instances there has been a considerable saving.

* Governor to Secretary of State No. 222, 12th July, 1895.

Secretary of State to Governor No. 219, 3rd September, 1895.