I whether not I intend to purchase my discharge and if some allowance for rent and fuel in lieu of quarters cannot be granted, I do not desire to enter the Colonial Service.
Minute by Acting Colonial Secretary
It has become every year more patent that some such change is urgently needed in the Public Works supervision and expenditure of an annual vote of $300,000. I would ask to be furnished with a copy of this letter if retained in the service of the Inspector General, as we desire to retain the services of those Officers who have given much labour and pains to the Department.
A comparison of the duties of Overseer of Works and Overseer of Police shows that the responsibilities are equal and the salaries should be equal.
I have the honour to be,
Signed: W. Colston
By Order,
Ford, Corporal R.C., Acting Overseer of Works.
The Overseer was picked up as a labourer and began with little technical knowledge, intelligence, and sobriety being the only characteristics which the Labourer or Clerk can achieve.