Moody to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I venture to request you will do me the favour to draw the
attention of the Secretary of State to the circumstance that the
additional rate of pay of the British Columbian Detachment of Royal
Engineers is authorized to commence on the day of embarkation, but the
usual rates of working and extra Pay received by officers and men of
the Corps of R.E. while employed has been withdrawn by the War
Department from the date of appointment to this service. As all,
especially the officers, have been actively employed on duty, I am
quite sure the Secretary of State does not contemplate they should
suffer any "loss" during the interval.

When Lt Col. Hawkins R.E. and his party of officers and men
(North American Boundary Commission now in B. Columbia) were similarly
situated—and they did not embark for three months after date of
appointment—their special pay was accorded to them from such date
of appointment, that is to say the pay of the officers was full
allowance (being most em ployed) and that of the men half allowance.

I venture to hope in consideration of the expenses in London
and the nature of the service the Secretary of State may be disposed
to accord a like remuneration in this case.