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4. I beg that the Secretary of State may be assured that I am not dissatisfied with my position, and I hope have given evidence, since my arrival here, that my duties are not performed in a perfunctory manner.
I admit that I was disappointed
to find that I was pecuniarly worse off here than in the position I relinquished in Kandy, taking into consideration the depreciation of the dollar as compared with the depreciation of the rupee, and the cost of living in this Colony as compared with Ceylon.
5. Work on the Praya Reclamation is now going as smoothly and satisfac- torily; in the present state of the work, I think it unnecessary and undesirable to appoint a Special Engineer, and I beg to ask that paragraph 12 of my letter No. 358 of the 18th July may be considered cancelled.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
R. D. ORMSBY.
(Enclosure No. 2 in Governor's Despatch No. 299 dated 21st October, 1898.)
SIR,
PUBLIC WORKS OFFICE, HONGKONG, 19th October, 1898.
With reference to the enquiry contained in C.O.D. No. 239 of 1898, I have the honour to submit the following statement.
2. The extra work performed by me in connection with the Praya Reclama- tion includes the general administration and superintendence of the work. Details of construction, the arrangement of sewers, storm-water drains, gas and water mains, levels of existing streets and properties affected by the work, preparation of contracts, procuring of materials, maintenance of plant and other matters involved in a work of this nature are all referred to me. If the matters are of sufficient importance, I consult with you before coming to a decision.
3. I may add that I am not taking up work of which I have had no expe- rience formerly. Before obtaining my present appointment, I spent 5 years on the staff of the Bristol Dock Engineers and was frequently engaged upon the construc- tion of sea walls, wharves and similar work.
4. I venture to think that the present method of conducting the operations connected with the Reclamation will be found to give satisfaction to all who are interested in the work.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
W. CHATHAM, M.I.C.E., Assistant Director of Public Works.
The Honourable
R. D. ORMSBY,
Director of Public Works.