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I would point out that it is submitted that the initial pay of the Government Marine Sur- veyor should be raised from £725 to £750. This is suggested as should an Assistant Surveyor, the senior of either the ship or engine branches, rise to his maximum of £700 he would draw $700 per month salary, plus $50 per month charge pay, totalling $750 per month, i.e., £25 per annum more than the present initial salary of the Government Marine Surveyor. This proposed increase will have no effect until the post of Govern- ment Marine Surveyor falls vacant, as the salary of the holder of this appointment is at present £875.
7. To compensate in some way for the proposed increases, I would submit that the survey fees at present charged in this Port be raised, as they are very low in comparison with the charges at other ports. I therefore forward herewith a revised list of charges for consideration. This revised list is for the principal charges only and should be regarded as approximate as the final schedule when completed may show slight modifications or additions.
8. It is proposed that as opportunity offers members of the present staff should undergo a course of training under the direction of the Board of Trade so as to comply with the requirements under (3) (a).
Mr. Hall, Assistant Government Marine Surveyor, has already undergone such train- ing, has satisfied the Board of Trade as to his efficiency as as Engine Surveyor and has keturned to the Colony.
Mr. Taylor, Assistant Government Marine Surveyor, is at present on Home leave and I understand that arrangements are being made by the Colonial Office for him to take the course of instruction for Engine Surveyors.
Mr. Church, Assistant Government Marine Surveyor, is now taking the course in England to qualify as Ship Surveyor.
Mr. Swan, Assistant Government Marine Surveyor, is taking a course of training locally under Mr. Wilton to qualify as a Ship Surveyor, but unfortunately it is not anti- cipated that such course will exempt him from training when he next returns to the United Kingdom, but will serve to reduce the time necessary for such training. Of the remainder of the present staff Mr. Russell, Government Marine Surveyor is retiring shortly and therefore it is not proposed that he should take the course of training.
Mr. Lambert, Senior Assistant Government Marine Surveyor, should take the course at the first available opportunity.
Mr. Jackson, Assistant Government Marine Surveyor, has been very seriously ill and has been invalided home on sick leave. His present condition of health will prevent him from taking any course for the present.
9. As the present staff cannot at present cope efficiently with the work of the Port (it has been found absolutely necessary to obtain assistance from private sources outside the Government Service) it is proposed that, should the proposed increase be approved, the training under the Board of Trade of new appointees be so regulated that a maximum of four only of the total staff of ship and engine surveyors should be absent from the Port at any one time. Nautical Surveyors should be trained before arrival in the Colony.
10. In regard to the initial salary of £460 for Ship and Engine Surveyor, Mr. Wilton points out that this is the Combined Salary (Authorised Salary plus cost of Living Allow- ance) of Officers when first appointed under the B.O.T. and thus offers no inducement to leave England. He however also points out that the recruiting age under the B.O.T. averages from 31 to 32 to that taking increments into consideration if we were to recruit our men at the age of 27 or 28 the necessary inducement would be provided.
If however we are to recruit at B.O.T. candidates' ages our initial salary should be raised to £500.
11. I cannot too strongly urge that the recommendations contained in Mr. Wilton's letter be authorised as soon as possible.
(Sd.)
G. F. HOLE.
Harbour Master.
6.8.27.