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it is indispensably requisite he should have. I must take great interest in the working of the Department during my absence, and will continue to do so even if I may not return to take charge again, be that as it may.
I pray that His Excellency will favourably consider the points I advocate, not for myself but for the good of the service, and, as I may say, ultimate economy.
With regard to the means of transport from place to place, independent of land communication, I have to observe, that the Department is often greatly inconvenienced for boat accommodation; the Starboat Master generally furnishes boats, but it frequently happens that his are not available, and when this is the case much valuable time is lost when visits have to be made, say to Stone Cutters Island 3 miles off, Kowloon 14 Miles, and to Causeway Bay 2 Miles off. Each of these places will occasionally have to be approached by boats from this place, as well as from Kowloon; and this when the works in each place are in full operation must be performed daily. His Excellency will thus understand how difficult it will be with few Officers, to carry out the works in a satisfactory manner; not only is it difficult, but...