99. The following Officers returned from long leave during the year :--
Mr. H. P. TOOKER, Executive Engineer, on the 5th March. Mr. L. GIBBS, Assistant Engineer, on the 25th April.
Mr. C. H. GALE, Chief Draughtsman, on the 4th May.
351
100. The Department lost by death during the year :-Mr. J. L. PROSSER, Land Surveyor, who died on the 6th June after a very short illness. Among the subordinates Mr. F. RAY, Watchman at Pokfulam, died on the 4th January; Mr. T. ABRAHAM, Foreman of Works, died on the 19th March ; Mr. LI KING-PAN, Clerk, died on the 6th August, and Mr. E. Rose, Overseer, who retired on pension on the 31st January, died on the 7th March.
101. The retirement from Government Service of Mr. EDWARD BOWDLER, Special Engineer of the Praya Works, though he had been for some years seconded from the Public Works Department, must be noticed here. Mr. BOWDLER's services under Government date back to 1855. After about 7 years' work in England, he proceeded to Mauritius in 1862, from which Colony he was transferred to Hong- kong in 1874. Having completed 43 years of meritorious service under Government, he retired on a well-earned pension on the 1st May, 1898.
102. The following new appointments were made during the year :--
Mr. T. G. HUGHES, Assistant Engineer, 1st July (C.S.O. #81).
Mr. Lo FUK LAM, Clerk, 1st September (C.S.O. 4).
Mr. G. M. GUTIERREZ, Clerk, 1st August (C.S.O. 177).
Mr. M. NEWTON, Watchman Pokfulam Reservoir, 1st September (C.S.O.
1).
85
Mr. S. M. THOMPSON, Watchman Shaukiwan Reservoir, 1st February (C.S.O. SUS).
Mr. J. F. ABRAHAM, Foreman, 25th March (C.S.O. 1).
Mr. J. OLSEN, Master Government Dredger, 1st April (C.S.O. 7858).
Mr. W. M. THOMSON, Custodian Recreation Ground, 1st April (C.S.O. 1).
Mr. T. JACOB, Assistant Draughtsman, 1st October (C.S.O. 353 2451
}).
103. Mr. J. H. DA SILVA, Master of the Government Dredger, was dismissed on the 22nd March (C.S.O.).
The services of Mr. A. HOGG, as Caretaker of the Wongneicheong Recreation Ground, were discontinued on 31st March (C.S.O.).
104. The following Officers resigned
Mr. I. J. Souza, Watchman Shaukiwan Reservoir, 31st January, (C.S.O. 1835).
Mr. M. J. E. DA CUNHA, Clerk, on promotion to another Government Office, 1st
August, (C.S.O.
7).
Mr. W. H. CUMPSTON, Assistant Draughtsman, 1st October (C.S.O. 8).
Mr. E. THOMPSON, Custodian of Cemetery, pensioned from 1st January, 1899 (C.S.O.
2673 1898
105. On the 8th of August, Mr. ORMSBY, Director of Public Works, was seconded for special service to accompany the Honourable J. H. STEWART LOCKHART, C.M.G., to the mainland, his instructions being to assist the Commissioner in reporting on the territory generally, the geology, roads, water supply, industries, &c., &c. This duty occupied Mr. ORMSBY three weeks, during which time Mr. W. CHATHAM acted as Director.
106. Mr. TOOKER, who only returned from long leave on the 5th March, unfortunately broke down in health very shortly after; a trip to Japan having failed to restore him, after a month in hos- pital, be again proceeded to Europe, his duties were distributed among other officers, viz., Mr. CHATHAM, Mr. HAZELAND, and Mr. GALE, and although the strain of extra work, owing to the absence of the only two Executive Engineers at the same time, has been considerable, the duties have been cheerfully and well performed. It was also considered possible to carry on the Praya works without a Special Engineer in the place of Mr. BoWDLER, who went on vacation leave from the 1st February. burden of this extra work, which is by no means light, falls on the Director, the Assistant Director and Messrs. BOULTON and MUDIE, the Marine Lot-holders gaining by the non-filling up of the appoint- ment by the saving of a salary of $5,760.00 per annum with compensation.
The
107. The Department is now undoubtedly very short-handed and the difficulty in the way of an officer getting any leave or relaxation considerable.
R. D. ORMSBY, Director of Public Works.