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increase in the clerical staff of the Harbour Department
would be required.
These notes were sent to Mr.
Percebois to confirm or revise, and he was at the same time
asked to make a report in writing in the semi-official
letter of which copy is enclosed.
In reply Mr. Percebois furnished
the report of the 19th. July, copy enclosed; and on the
same day he called upon me and volunteered the statement
Enclosure 2.
Con closure 3.
Enclosure 4. Enclosures
contained in the enclosed copy of the note I made of the
conversation. After communicating with the Commissioner of
Customs, copy of letters of 20th. and 21st. July enclosed,
copies of the notes of the two interviews with Mr.
Percebois and of his report were sent to the Harbour
Master in a letter dated the 23rd. of July, copy of which
is attached.
Fonclosure 7.
Enclosure 8.
I enclose copy of the Harbour
Master's reply in which he met the statements of Mr.
Percebois by a direct negative in nearly all cases. This
rendered further enquiry necessary to determine how far
Mr. Percebois' conclusions were justified or justifiable.
I accordingly appointed Mr. 0. McI. Messer, acting Colonial
Treasurer and Mr. E. Osborne, Secretary to the Wharf and
Godown