336
( 204 )
The Department is, therefore, up to the full strength contemplated by Mr. ORMSBY when writing his minute. There have been no resignations or casualties among the Officers.
The staff is, however, in my opinion, inadequate for carrying on the large works in progress or in contemplation, and for complying with the continual demand for plans and estimates of new projects.
In order to support my opinion, I would point out that, notwithstanding the tak- ing over of the New Territory and the enormous developinent now going on in the Colony, no addition whatever has been made to the Engineering Staff.
I give below a statement of it as it existed in 1892 and in 1898, selecting these years because the former saw the Department put on a proper footing to cope with the work of that period, and the latter was the year prior to the taking over of the New Territory.
1892.
Comparative Statement of Staff.
1898.
1 Asst. Director of Pub, Works.
do.
2 Executive Engineers.
3 Executive Engineers. 6 Assistant
1 Chief Draftsman.
1 Draftsman.
11 Total.
6 Asst. Engineers.
1 Chief Draftsman.
1 Draftsman.
11 Total.
1901.
1 Asst. Director P. W.
2 Executive Engineers.
7 Asst. Engineers.
... Chief Draftsman.
1 Draftsman.
11 Total.
I have omitted Officers engaged on the Praya Reclamation Scheme from the state- ment, as that work stands by itself.
From the comparative statement I have given, it will be seen that there has been absolutely no increase and, to any one acquainted with the Colony for the past 10 years, it will be obvious that a staff which was sufficient in 1892 must be wholly in- adequate now. At that time the Engineers charged with the supervision of the Build- ing Ordinance and ordinary Water and Drainage Works had an opportunity of devoting a portion of their time to special undertakings forming part of the programme of Ex- traordinary Public Works. Now, however, that is practically out of the question, as building work throughout the Colony is so active that it is with difficulty the extensions of roads, water mains and sewers can be overtaken in time to meet the requirements.
In the same way, the demands for Extraordinary Public Works, including Water- works, Markets, Police Stations, Sanitary Works, etc., are far in excess of what they were. Finally the New Territory, where 7 Police Stations and 14 miles of road have been constructed or are in progress, makes considerable inroads upon the time of the Engineering Staff.
I have, therefore, to submit for the consideration of His Excellency the Governor the following recommendations :-
(1.) Mr. A. H. HOLLINGSWORTH to be an Executive Engineer, thus restoring the number of Officers of this class to 3 as in 1892. Mr. HOLLINGS- WORTH has been an Assistant Engineer for the past years and has been carrying on the Water and Drainage Works since Mr. CROOK'S departure for Gibraltrar.
(2.) The additional Assistant Engineers to be obtained from England, each with a salary of $2,400, and Exchange Compensation, and Travelling Allowance of $360.