Sessional_Paper_1929 — Page 109

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For Watchmen at the Central Mechanical Works we recommend $192 to $240 by $12 after 3, 6, 9 and 12 years, and for Artizans the following scales:-

1st Class Foreman

Building Foreman 1st Class Fitters

$1,000 to $1,700 by $100 annually;

$600 to $ 950 by $ 50 $1,000 to $1,300 by $ 75 $600 to $ 950 by $ 50 $1,000 to $1,300 by $ 75

"

33

2nd Class Fitters

1st Class Carpenter

2nd Class Carpenter

$

600 to $

950 by $ 50

3rd Class Carpenter

$

360 to $

570 by $ 30

1st Class Electrician

600 to $

950 by

50

2nd Class Electrician

$

360 to $

570 by $ 30

Electric Welder

$

600 to $

950 by $.50

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1st Class Painter

$

600 to $

950 by $ 50

159. For the Assistant Engineer on Maintenance of Way and Structures we recommend a scale of $4,000, rising to $6,000 by $200 annually, for the Inspector of Permanent Way £370, rising to £430 by £15 annually and for the Sub-Inspector $600, rising to $1,000 by $50 annually. The 3rd Class Draughtsman should receive the same scale as suggested for such employees in the Public Works Department namely $1,100, rising to $1,800 by $100 annually. For the Tracer we suggest a scale of $300, rising to $450 by $50 annually. The Office Attendant should receive $192, rising to $240 by $12 after 3, 6, 9 and 12 years.

The No. 1. Headman of the Labour Gangs on maintenance of the Track should receive $600, rising to $950 by $50 annually, and the other Headmen $480, rising to $540 by $20 annually. For Keymen we suggest a scale of $180 to $276 by $12 annually and for Platelayers 12 senior posts on $180 to $276 and the remainder on $168 to $252 by $12 annually in all cases. The No. 1 Trolleyman should receive $192 to $240, the other Trolleymen and the Gatemen $156 to $204 by $12 in all cases after 3, 6, 9 and 12 years. Watchmen should be on the same scale, $192 rising to $240 by $12 after 3, 6, 9 and 12 years.

33.-VOLUNTEER DEFENCE CORPS.

160. The Allowance at present paid to the Commandant is purely nominal and it is therefore, impossible for us to comment on its adequacy or otherwise. The pay of the Adjutant is fixed in dollars and is the result of an arrangement made by the Colonial Government with the War Office for the seconding of a Military Officer for duty with the Corps. We imagine that this will be done each time a vacancy occurs and there is there- fore no object in our making any recommendation.

For the Sergeant Major we recommend a scale of £370, rising to £470 by £20 annually. We consider the pay of the Armourer Attendant to be adequate but suggest that he should be granted the usual rent allowance. The Motor Driver should receive the scale suggested throughout this Report for men of his grade, namely $550, rising to $650 by $50 annually.

The Storeman, we understand, is a British Soldier who receives an allowance of $1 a day for his services; we do not suggest any alteration. The scale of the Range Warden we consider adequate in every way; the Messengers, Coolies and Watchman should re- ceive $156 rising to $204 by $12 after 3, 6, 9 and 12 years service.

II.-Currency Basis.

161. We have already partially dealt with this Head of Enquiry in paragraph 12. of this Report.

We consider that the salaries of officers, ordinarily recruited in England, should continue to be quoted in Sterling, and paid in Sterling while an officer is on leave in Eng- land or other country having a gold standard. It seems to us that this is essential, not only with a view to attracting recruits for the various branches of the Service, but also. for the purpose of computing pensions, espécially in cases where an officer has served in other Colonies before transfer to Hong Kong. By our suggestion that Sterling Salaries