4.1.
79
5 Miles distant. Buildings contemplated for the next year only comprise Two School Houses 3 Miles apart (in Victoria) Police Stations at Kowloon, Port Spice and probably a Supreme Court, and lastly the Mint, the mere preparation of the plans, details and specifications alone will require the individual attention of one subordinate perfectly instructed in his duties.
For supervision of buildings in progress I am supposed to have the assistance of 4 Capper's: number I have never had for any period over four that I could smoothly and ... now I can only obtain two, and they require as much looking after as the workmen themselves, they are frequently changed and as frequently unacquainted with the proper mode and details of carrying out the works they have to supervise.
One Overseer of Works cannot undertake the direction of such a mass of work, nor is it possible for the Surveyor or his Assistant to do more than make hurried visits to the several places, having but two hours available for them in the morning and afternoons.
Another item of work in the Department is Land in Victoria. Little further can be done...
Y.