Sessional_Paper_1900 — Page 151

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2. I, therefore, propose to take no steps with regard to this particular case until I have received a reply to my despatch to which I have already referred.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient, humble Servant,

HENRY A. BLAKE,

Governor, &c.

The Right Honourable

JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN, M.P.,

&C.,

&c.,

&c.

(Secretary of State to Governor.)

HONGKONG.

DOWNING STREET,

No. 280.

8th December, 1899.

No. 65-17 March, 1899.

No. 146-14 June, 1899.

1899.

SIR,

I have had under consideration your despatches noted in the margin relative No. 199-27 July, to the salaries of various officers of the Hongkong Government Service, and I have No. 233—18 Aug., 1899.

to inform you that I see no sufficient reason for the appointment of a Committee to enquire into the subject.

No. 270-22 Sept.

1899.

No. 290-13 Oct., 1899.

2. I am, however, willing, so far as you agree and subject to the consent of the Legislative Council, to sanction the following revised scales of salaries.

3. The salary of the Governor may be raised to $35,000 of which $8,000 should be regarded as Entertainment Allowance; and the salary of the combined offices of Colonial Secretary and Registrar General may be raised to $10,800.

4. The salaries of the undermentioned offices, which are or may hereafter be held by officers of the Cadet Class, should be classified in the following manner :- (a.) The Treasurer, the First Magistrate, and the Captain Superintendent of Police and Prisons to receive $6,000 rising to $7,200 by trien- nial increments of $600;

(b.) The Assistant Colonial Secretary, the Second Magistrate (for the New Territory), the Inspector of Schools, the Postmaster General, and the Registrar of the Supreme Court, to receive $4,800 rising to $5,400 by triennial increments of $300;

(c.) The Assistant Registrar General, the Deputy Superintendent of

Police, the Deputy Land Officer, the Deputy Registrar and Ac- countant of the Supreme Court, and (on the next vacancy) the Deputy Registrar and Appraiser to receive $3,600 rising to $4,200 by triennial increments of $300;

(d.) The Assistant Superintendent of Police (for the New Territory), the Assistant Superintendent of the Gaol, and the Assistant Post- master General to receive $2,400 rising to $3,000 by triennial increments of $300.

5. In the Medical Department the Principal Civil Medical Officer may be given $4,800 rising to $6,000 by triennial increments of $600; the three Assistant Surgeons may be given $3,600 rising to $4,200 by triennial increments of $300, the present allowance to the Assistant Medical Officer of the Lunatic Asylum being reduced to $240. The Port Health Officer and the Apothecary and Analyst may be given $2,400 rising to $3,000 by triennial increments of $300.

6. In the Public Works Department the salary of the Director may be in- creased to $7,200 rising to $7,800 after three years. The Assistant Director of Public Works and the senior Executive Engineer may be given $4,200 rising to $4,800 by triennial increments of $300. The other Executive Engineers and the Office Assistant may receive $3,000 rising to $3,600 by triennial increments of