Staff actually required, need of consideration, can best be estimated by the Director of the Ordnance Survey. And it would, I submit, have been premature for me so early after my appointment to have entered into the details of the staff required. In suggesting a salary I did so with the proviso (as in the case of the other proposed appointments) that the amount of the salary might be increased if necessary, as the Secretary of State might decide.
Sir Charles Wilkins' proposal contemplates that an officer shall be appointed to conduct the survey "quite independent of the Surveyor General, and of any other authority, in the Colony, so far as the conduct of the Survey is concerned": i.e., he would be solely under the control of the Colonial Government. While admitting that the Survey Officer should have full control of the surveying staff, and be perfectly free as regards the "mode of executing the work", I am strongly of opinion that it would be a serious mistake if such Surveying Officer were quite independent of the Colonial Government, and of the Surveyor General as the technical adviser of Government.
As it is proposed that a preponderating proportion of the total cost of the survey is to be borne by the Colonial Government, it appears to me natural...