Inform that Officer of His Excellency's concurrence in that advice, and that he is hereby reprimanded accordingly. It is, moreover, His Excellency's opinion that the Council have taken a very lenient view of Mr. Bird's extraordinary interpretation of his duties.
While Mr. Bird continues in the Service of the Colony, you are to inform him that His Excellency is not prepared to be satisfied with anything short of a hearty and zealous discharge of his duties, very different from that which characterized his conduct in connection with the works that led to the recent disaster. His Excellency does not consider an Officer efficient who could not find a few minutes wherein to visit a spot reported dangerous to men employed there by his department, and who could make the flippant reply to the Governor when explanation was requested, that he did not see how he could find time or opportunity to leave his office.
There has been conflicting Evidence as to the nature and date of the orders given by Mr. Bird to Machado, the overseer of Convicts. It is clear, however, that the latter did receive some orders and had his attention drawn to the dangers.
C
281