2
132
Independent of the encroachment on their time unavoidably caused thereby, it seems peculiarly objectionable in this Country that any of the Surveyor General's staff should be engaged in superintending contracts other than those of the Government, or have any private dealing with the various Chinese Contractors, and the Merchants, who supply building Materials and other stores to the colony.
2. In my despatch No.124 of the 14th of September last, I notified my refusal to allow McWilson private practice, but recommended that he should receive an allowance for keeping a horse and Coolies to enable him to travel on public duty, which recommendation was approved.
124 10969/66 Treas 11799/00 303 8136
3. At the same time, this deprivation of private practice has caused evident dissatisfaction and renders it more difficult to find competent persons to fill the various posts under the Surveyor General. I had found that the Assistant Surveyor General, Mc Shearman G. Bird, whose leave of absence I have reported in my despatch No.303 of 22nd ultimo, had been in the habit of undertaking private practice, and I did not hesitate to prohibit this because such a custom is so obviously opposed to the public interests as to render its prohibition essential at all hazards.
H. H. Having reason to suppose that Mr Bird did not intend, on returning from leave, to