326
Becks and Indexes
An efficient mode has been adopted in properly regulated offices, so that any document could be readily found independent of any changes.
From time to time the Office has suffered from confusion due to accumulation of arrears, and, as the staff were frequently worked beyond the usual Office hours, I could not ascribe the arrears to any remissness on their part. The Colonial Secretary and myself felt that it would be impossible to get the duty done without additional clerical help.
I may remark that this attempt to obtain such additional aid would enable the business of the office to be better attended to, and recorded, except in cases where it was not deemed necessary. Despatches to the Secretary of State have been filed since 1861, with no Books kept. The rough draughts alone being filed, I shared much wish with Your Lordships to obtain sanction to the expense necessary to obviate this anomaly. It would probably involve the recording of 2000 folio pages each year and might usefully employ another Clerk.
To illustrate the actual amount of current business transacted, I enclose a Memorandum (Inclosure 2) shewing the details of its various branches, during the 9 months and 19 days of my administration of this Government last year.