No. 405.
Hongkong.
Sir,
6.0 42639
617 00 04
Government House,
Hongkong, 18th November, 1904.
371
18638
With reference to Mr. Chamberlain's Despatch No. 193 of the 7th June, 1901, on the subject of the selection of a candidate for the post of Principal Land Surveyor in this Colony, I have the honour to inform you that Mr. L. C. Rees, the candidate sent out, will complete three years of service under his agreement on the 3rd January next.
The Acting Director of Public Works reports that it was the intention of the Director to recommend that this Officer should be placed on the permanent staff of his Department on the expiration of his agreement. Mr. Jones further states that Mr. Rees is very zealous and energetic in the discharge of his duties and carries them out efficiently.
It has been represented to me that in view of the very large increase of work in this branch of the Public Works Department, which the growth of the Colony and the Land Settlement in the New Territory are entailing, the salary attaching to the post, which is the same as that of an Assistant Engineer, viz. £360 rising to £480 by £240 triennially, is inadequate. There is no doubt that the duties of the office are much more responsible than those of an Assistant Engineer.
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
ALFRED LYTTELTON, K.C., M.P.,
&c.
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