estimated total Expenditure on Public Works Extraordinary for the year 1900 is not much larger than the average Expenditure in recent years, yet my authority has already been obtained for the app't of 2 additional Assistant Engineers, as will be seen by reference to the Serials noted in the margin.
I have the honour to request that you will be good enough to inform me, before No 43. 12. 2.00 ho 70. 12.3.00
3. Before therefore I come to regard any decision on the proposed new affts, I shall be glad to learn on what duties the other Engineers in the P.W. Dept are respectively engaged, & whether you are satisfied that the time of all of them is so fully occupied that none of them could be spared to supervise the works in the Tai Lam Valley.
Page 147.