440
of
the three in turn being always on three months shore duty in this Office, and the twins being so arranged that each Officer would escape the worst of the S.W. Monsoon this addition to the staff of Department would be necessary would the third marine Officer would be selected from the fluke on the Establishment.
I had intended to submit such a scheme with the Estimates for 1882, but the state of health in which both of the Marine Officers are at present renders delay undesirable. Mr. del Aquila is suffering from enlargement of the heart, and obviously needs rest and quiet.
Mr. de Lasta has no such alarming symptom, but his system is evidently low, and he has already at considerable expense provided a substitute for the voyage to proceed.
9. I therefore venture to ask whether Sir J. Hennessy the Governor would approve of temporary increase of Salary of $40 a month to such Officer as I might be able to select for the purpose, on condition of no delay.