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disputes arising between the Contractors in the Interior and the innumerable Sub-Contractors whom they employ, a matter which has in the past given rise to much difficulty with the result that the Chief Resident Engineer's time is wasted on work which is in no way of a technical Railway nature. The co-operation of Government Departments in a work which is taken out of the direct control of Government is difficult to secure in what is called "the Departmental System" and I venture to think constitutes its weakest point. It was for this reason that in Nigeria I so strongly urged the modification of the system which I believe Your Lordship has approved, viz.:- the direct control of the local Government and I find in this view I am entirely supported (under conditions which differ materially from Africa) by Sir F. Swettenham and Sir M. Nathan.
3. I heard also in England that the Weekly Meetings at Government House were regarded as a somewhat irksome invasion of the Chief Resident Engineer's time. I find that an occasional meeting serves a very useful purpose, and is desired by the Chief Resident Engineer who is able to take the opportunity of laying before the Governor any difficulties he is experiencing, and to discuss...