to the Consulting Engineer at home shone at least pass through the latter
B20-9
officer,
No. 228,
17434
RECT
* 31 AUG 39)
758
MY LORD,
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
HONGKONG, 19th July, 1889.
Referring to my despatch No. 225 of the 15th instant, on the subject of the arrangement which Your Lordship proposes for the execution of the Distribution Works of the Water Supply, I deem it my duty, in a separate despatch to draw attention to another point in connection with Sir R. RAWLINSON.
The Water Distribution Works and the Sewerage Works which Your Lord- ship proposes to place under the same supervision will necessarily take some years for their completion. Any period less than five years would, I imagine, be an over-sanguine estimate. Is it then wise to appoint as Consulting Engineer with the intention that he should have full executive control of the Works, a gentleman who, however eminent, is in his 80th year, who has been, I understand, super- annuated in respect of other official duty, and who can scarcely hope to retain his full powers to see this particular duty accomplished? I presume that by the permanent appointment of a Consulting Engineer it is intended that some respon- sibility shall attach to him which will be some security for the expenditure incurred; but on the other hand it is difficult for me to understand what a lequate security to the public would be the responsibility of an Enginear, however eminent, who has attained to Sir R. RAWLINSON'S age.
For reasons which have been indicated, or may readily be inferred from the above, I am decidedly of opinion that Sir R. RAWLINSON'S connection with this Colony (at least in a position carrying with it annual remuneration) should now cease. But in giving a very reluctant expression to this view in respect of a gentleman of his eminence, I think it well to add that I have no per- sonal acquaintance with him whatever. I know him simply from his great reputation and from reading some few papers of his among the Colonial records. And as I am in a precisely similar position as regards Mr. CHADWICK, I need scarcely assure Your Lordship that the opinions expressed in this and iny other despatch above referred to, are respectfully offered without the slightest personal feeling, and wholly in the interest of the Colony and the public service.
I have the honour to be,
My Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient,
Humble Servant,
William Der Vaud
The Right Honourable
THE LORD KNUTSFORD, G.C.M.G.,
Su...
ye.