287
i
12. The following are the reductions which I think might be made in the cost of the civil service proper.
By the amalgamation of the post of Registrar General with that of Colonial Secretary, a saving of about $6,000. To which may be added, by the abolition of the Chief Clerkship and another Clerkship in the Colonial Secretary's Office, a saving of $3,000, apart from the saving to be effected under the general scheme of clerical reorganization.
By the amalgamation of the post of Postmaster General with that of Treasurer, a saving (allowing for an increase to the salary of the Treasurer) of some $4,000.
By the abolition of the post of Assistant Harbour Master, a saving of $3,000.
By reductions in the cost of Observatory department which is now to a great extent occupied with observations of no particular importance to the Colony, $4,000.
By reductions in the subordinate branches of the Supreme Court $3,000. By the abolition of one Magistrate, the work of the Court not being too heavy for one energetic officer, about $5,000.
By the combination of the post of Superintendent of the Gaol with that of the Assistant Superintendent of Police, a saving of about $3,500,
By the reduction of the Cadets to two, a saving of about $3,500.
Total saving about $35,000.
13. The strength of the Military force now quartered in Hongkong renders it possible to discount to a great extent the contingency of the Police having to deal with a local émeute. The present cost of the Police considerably exceeds 10 per cent. of the gross revenue, and is in my opinion unnecessarily high. Captain Superintendent, General GORDON, has not yet been able to elaborate the details of a scheme of reduction; but he has informed me that he considers that it will be feasible without risk to effect an ultimate saving of $15,000.
The
14. The possible saving on the existing cost of the establishments therefore amounts to $31,000 on the clerical service, $35,000 on the civil service proper, and $15,000 on the Police-or $81,000 in all. But assuming that Your Lordship concurs in the propriety of these reductions-a point on which I shall be glad to receive an expression of Your Lordship's opinion-they obviously can be effected only as vacancies occur: they can, but very partially, be realised in the near future, and their complete fulfilment cannot be obtained before the lapse of a considerable period. They therefore afford no argument against the urgent necessity for raising a loan at the earliest possible date.
The Right Honourable
**
**
THE MARQUESS OF RIPON,
Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State
for the Colonies,
fc.,
$c.
*
**
I have the honour to be,
My Lord,
*
*
Your Lordship's most obedient,
humble servant,
WILLIAM ROBINSON,
Governor.