Records kept by the Colonial Secretary were transferred to this Department in November 1859. The then head of it, Mr. Inglis, promoted from the Superintendency (of the Gaol), was always either sick or on leave and could not pay much attention to this part of his duty.
I joined the Department as Acting Harbor Master in 1860 whilst Mr. Inglis was in England and found the Affairs of the Office in a most disordered Condition. There were two clerks, one a drunkard who was immediately dismissed, the other, Mr. Lording, who knew nothing of the Registry of Shipping, his duties having been entirely devoted to the discharge of seamen.
I took charge entirely innocent of any knowledge of office work, so that I had to conduct the duties of Registrar of Shipping with no previous experience of its details to assist me. And I do not doubt that many inaccuracies occurred whilst myself and newly appointed Officers were learning our work.
Some time back I noticed that the Queries from England were more frequent than ought reasonably to be expected, and I then took measures to check their recurrence which I am glad to say have been attended with success.
The Column Enquiries for