It always will seem to me an extravagance that Hingtong should have a separate Trias and Separate Auditor. As to the staff and work of the Treasury, I know no reason why the suggestions of the Committee should not be carried out, backed as they are by the Governor.
Possibly, as already suggested, another paper worth of other departments might be transferred to the Treasurer! Post Office: The committee propose to abolish the Assistant Postmaster General. The Governor prefers to keep him but to abolish the Chief Clerk. I think we must be guided by the Governor, especially as the Assistant Postmaster General's office is one in which we can employ one of the long redundant cadets. If moulded into shape and fashioned to start a rational post office, I presume the Hongkong post office will cease to be the head office of the Treaty ports, and all analogous arrangements.
In that case, it will presumably be possible still further to reduce the staff. Para. 12 of his despatch, the Governor "promises a further despatch upon postal arrangements" which he has promised. It seems unnecessary to refer this part of the report to the G.P.D. They would have no material for judging as to what is proposed.
The Governor hopes to economise by collecting all the public departments into one building. This would mean a very large and, I fear, very expensive building.
Harbour Master: The Inspection of emigrants, which question the Governor says, is still under consideration, shall be transferred to the Registrar General. And the Governor is to be asked about it. If this is done, the decision already taken to abolish the Assistant Harbour Master will be strengthened, as presumably the work of the department will be lightened.
Observatory: No reduction is recommended,
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