repairs thereto, about the same amount of duty is generally demanded annually, this service occupies much time and attention, for it frequently happens that although the expenditures for the same is of a small amount, and therefore apparently of a trivial nature, it is indispensably necessary that a strict supervision be made performed, or the Chinese workmen will scamp the work and cheat to the utmost of their power, and it is in this respect where I miss the services of a good practical workman, such as are to be frequently found at home, who act in all capacities as general overseers, but who nevertheless have been brought up to some trade; for such services always found most efficient person, and if a carpenter such as one could be attached to the Establishment - in lieu of the Civil Engineer and block of "Works, whose situation it is proposed to abolish, much good would result thereby.
The only assistant I now have for all out-of-door works is the Chinese overseer, whose services I must admit are extremely useful, as well in the office as in the Works; he has had now good training in all sorts of duties, and a good execute that in all sorts of work, although he could not himself do any particular work, he will see that my drawings and instructions are attended to. I have much cause to be thankful for him, and from the horse allowance fully granted, the distance between works sometimes carried on simultaneously, he is enabled to visit them much more expeditiously and frequently, than hitherto. The three coolies under his charge also perform similar duties, and attend to the general repair of drains and roads, and whose particular service is to go out during rains, and see that the surface drains act efficiently, or apply the necessary repairs.