The Governor reports that he feels certain that in view of the extension of the boundaries of the Colony the abolition of the office would be detrimental and the efficiency of the Harbour Master's Department would be seriously impaired." (8223/99)
It may be noted that it was necessary, while Capt. Hastings was Police Magistrate in 1898 to appoint a temporary Harbour Master to deal with 10th Junk Suspects; during the year October and that during the last three months of the year the office was met out on the junk revenue amounting to $1,094. The appointment was continued until the Assistant H. M. can resume his duties.
It seems fairly clear that a strong case can be made for continuing the office whoever's work may extend outside the territorial waters of the H.M.'s Department. Moreover, there has been an increase in the tonnage of ships entering and clearing at Hongkong as compared with 1892, of a million tons (under each head); and the number have gone up from about 26,200 vessels to 33,900 odd.
I think, therefore, that the office should be continued, but I see little to justify selecting the local candidate whom the Governor recommends. He has to all appearances not been in the Colony since 1889, after 10 years' service, and from 1892 to 1897 appears to have devoted himself to farming - a highly reputable occupation, but hardly one in itself offering much opportunity for gaining nautical experience.
In the previous year he regained a Master's certificate from the Board of Trade. As a rule, one would like to select a candidate with more recent sea experience.
I entirely agree to the proposal for continuing the office of Harbour Master. As regards the candidate, he appears to have left the Colony in 1889, after 10 years' service, and to have devoted himself to farming from 1892 to 1897.
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