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3. It should be possible to effect an ecomony in Stenographers by employing one officer half time in two different departments. It is only in the largest departments that there is sufficient work to keep a stenographer continuously occupied. Stenographers should only be allowed to departments where it is shown that a Chinese typist would not be competent or suitable for the work required.
JUNIOR CLERICAL SERVICE.
A reduction of twenty per cent. should be made in the approved establishments of the different classes. A reduction to this extent has already been recommended in the case of the Colonial Secretary's Office.
KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY.
The present staff of the British Section of the Kowloon-Canton Railway could with but slight augmentation probably run the whole of the Kowloon-Canton Railway, both British and Chinese sections. On the other hand, the comparatively small British section could not in the opinion of the Commissioners be run with a smaller staff. Whatever the length of the line, it is necessary to have at least one of various kinds of railway officials and engineers.
recommend,
2. Nevertheless there are two economies which the Commissioners and which they consider will at the same time lead to great
great efficiency. The first concerns the post of Manager. This is combined with the post of Engineer of Ways: and Works. It would be a better arrangement if the post of Manager were com- bined with that of Traffic Manager, and a separate Engineer of Ways and Works appointed, (an engineer is already seconded for this post from the Fublic Works Depart- ment during the absence on leave of the Manager). There would still be two officers performing the duties of three posts, but there would be a slight saving in salaries, and a more logical distribution of duties.
3. The second recommendation affecting staff which the Commissioners make, is that the two posts of Traffic Inspectors at present filled by British officers be filled in future by Portuguese. One of the two officers concerned is already over the retiring age. There will be a considerable saving not only in salaries but in the cost of passages and pensions. The Commissioners, whilst realizing that a certain amount of defrauding of the railway by persons travelling without tickets is inevitable, are quite satisfied that more could be done to check the practice. The Traffic Assistant should supervise the work of the Traffic Inspectors and Collectors, by himself inspecting on the trains several times a week. The subordinate staff knowing this would be more active than they are at present. The more rigorous prosecution of offenders and strong disciplinary measure against the railway staff would also tend to discourage this form of malpractice.
4. The Kowloon-Canton Railway is the one Government department which appears to keep its accounts in a proper manner. The Commissioners would however urge that the land used by the Railway should be revalued and a record kept, in case at any future time the British section is amalgamated with the Chinese section.
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
INTRODUCTION.
The Commissioners wish to acknowledge the assistance given to them in their con- sideration of these most difficult problems of education by the Acting Director of Educa- tion, who spared no effort to lay before the Commissioners evidence which might facil- itate their task. They would also record their apppreciation of the aid given to them by the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Sir William Hornell, Kt.. both in evidence and in the submission of memoranda.
2. Owing to the apparent lack of a settled Government policy in past years, the Commissioners have approached this controversial subject with diffidence, but feel that if any effective retrenchment is to be obtained they must necessarily submit recommenda-