14
38
they
are
alone are
only employed where Cookies are needed, and they are only fit for the description of work the Stone bang is employed in, viz., of collecting loose stone from old ruins and loading and unloading the boats. While there are prisoners who possess greater intelligence, they are employed on the Sea Wall and other jobs requiring more skilled labor.
With respect to the Board's recommendation, that the Stone boats should in future be towed, I beg respectfully to differ from the Board on that point, and would urge that no more boats should be attached to the works connected with this Department, and would suggest that with a reduced Crew and fewer sculls and oars, and other precautions which I have adopted, the boats can in future be propelled at a slow rate, while the danger of having so many boats will be obviated.
With reference to the concluding paragraph of the Board's report, I venture to express a hope that His Excellency will be enabled to make such arrangements with the Senior Naval Officer, as will ensure a Gun Boat being constantly stationed near to this Hulk.