For the convenience of the dealers, the Opium Farmer's Agent is provided with a copy of the Permit issued to them immediately after they are interviewed by him.
After a month's practical working, I find that I underestimated the staff that would be required for carrying out efficiently the duties of the Office.
Two rapid writers are required to make out the various Permits only; work has been done by the two clerks in the establishment whose time has been fully taken up from 10 to 4, and sometimes until 5 daily, the writing up of the books, some of which have been undertaken by me, having to be done out of Office hours.
I have therefore the honour to request that two more clerks, one at $50 and one at $40 a month, be appointed at once to this Office; and I would respectfully suggest that in this instance, considering the nature of the work to be done, which is outside the general routine of the work in the Government Departments, the rule for competitive examination for the post may be relaxed.
It is absolutely necessary that whoever may be appointed should have had some experience in a mercantile Office.
My experience of over 10 years as Head of the Clerical staff in the various Departments in which I have had the honour to serve leads me to believe that, with few exceptions, those who have undergone a course of training in a mercantile Office have invariably proved to be the best clerks, being methodical and real in their work.
The following books and forms, copies of which are annexed, have been found necessary, and are now in use at this Office:
(1.) General Register, without details of wares and measures, of Imports and Exports.
(2.) General Register, with details of...