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Appendix No. 3.
No. 222.
GOVERNMENT HOUSE, HONGKONG, 12th June, 1901.
SIR,I have the honour to transmit for your consideration the enclosed copy of a letter from the Acting Director of Public Works, respecting the urgent necessity for increasing the Staff of his Department.
2. Having considered the demands upon the Public Works Department, I agree with Mr CHATHAM that, in view of the rapid increase of the Colony, the proposed in- crease of Staff is necessary.
3. I accordingly submit Mr. CHATHAM'S proposals for your approval, and propose to embody them in the Estimates for 1902 unless I hear to the contrary from you by telegram.
4. I shall also be glad to learn by cable whether the appointment of Principal Land Surveyor, proposed in my Despatch No. 167 of 30th April, 1901, can be included in the Estimates for 1902 which are now in hand.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient, humble Servant,
The Right Honourable
JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN, M. P.,
etc., etc.,
etc.
(Enclosure.)
HENRY A. BLAKE, Governor.
(Copy.) No. 841.
PUBLIC WORKS OFFICE,
HONGKONG, 5th June, 1901.
SIR,In forwarding the Establishment Estimates of this Department for 1902, I desire to point out the urgent necessity for increasing the Staff in order to render it capable of carrying out efficiently the numerous and important Public Works in pro- gress or about to be undertaken.
I feel somewhat diffident in putting forward my proposals, as I am only a locum tenens, but the necessity for increased staff is so palpable that I would fail in my duty if I did not point it out. It is with the Engineering Staff alone that I propose to deal.
I find that in C.S.O. 2359/1900, Mr. ORMSBY gave it as his opinion that the staff, with the addition of one Assistant Engineer, (referred to as "Special Engineer” in his minute), would be sufficient to carry out the works included in this year's Estimates, provided certain Officers returned from leave and no resignation or casualties occurred.
All the Officers returned from leave, with the exception of Mr. DRURY, who was transferred to the Imperial Service. To fill the vacancy thus created, several promo. tions were made, and a new Assistant Engineer was appointed locally at a salary of $1,800 per annum.
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