a 
Botanic Gardens 
Singapore 15th, July 1919 
Sir,'; . , , 
1 have the honour to ask for orders upon 
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the following matter. 
2 9 The Gardens’ Committee had fixed coolies 
and Gardeners wages in January 19X8. At a full meeting on 
June 26th. lest-, they returned to the subject and passed 
resolutions thus recorded in their minute©* 
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"The Committee proceeded to discuss the wages of employees 
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on daily pay. It was pointed out that the coolies receiving 
50 cents for nine hours were underpaid # and the Committee 
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determined to add five cents per diem onto the wages of all 
t i r 
employees from 1st. July 1919. It was pointed out that the 
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employees had been suffering for some little time from the 
high price of rice etc. and that it is very hard, for the 
married men with families to provide food upon their pay. 
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The Committee decided that it is desirable to give all, 
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employees as an addition to their rice allowance two doolars 
per mensen for each of the months April, May and dune”* 
The Honourable the Colonial Treasurer holds the view that 
the Committee cannot pees such a resolution, and withholds 
payment of the bills pending your authority, I have quoted 
Act. VII of 1870 to him, and the authority which the Committ 
ee has excercised ,up to now under it, pf spreading' the grant 
made to them over their nerds; but he maintains that with 
the breaking up of the old grant to the Botanic Gardens into 
the following as in 1919 estimates page 93. 
9, Watchmen S. at various rates. 
13. Plant Collector- ($ISC -36T- 360) 
14. Engine Driver and Carpenter 
