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officer for the post of Director of Public Works to recognise the fact that the experience gained in other Crow Colonies will probably not suffice, and that the selection of a special- -ly qualified and experienced engineer from outside the raks
of the Colonial Service will as a rule prove the best course to adopt. Such a policy may entail the provision of a larger salary. But I submit that the existing salary is inadequate
remuneration for the services demanded and the responsibiliti-
-es entailed. Want of forethought in the laying out of Victoria has cost this Colony enormous sume and will continue to cost much money for years to come while even in Kowloon similar
fmlts have become apparent.
4.
D
I am strongly of opinion that it would be
an economy in Hongkong to pay in the future the Director of Public Works at Hongkong a salary of not less than £2,000 a year and to select for the post a highly qualified and experienced engineer from outside the Colonial Service. The
Bervios. T salary suggested is more than that of the Colonial Secretary; on the other hand for the post of Director of Public Works a highly skilled technical officer is essential and the market price for such an officer is high. Even at £2,000 a year the salary would compare unfavourably with what local engineers and architects can make. Thus in the case of the local engineering firm of Leigh and Orange, two partners much younger men than Mr. Chatham have joined the fim during his term of service in the Public Works Department and have al- -ready retired; while both Mr. Palmer and Mr. Turner who join- -ed that firm not long before Mr. Chatham came to this Colony have both likewise retired, the former many years ago.
5.
I do not wish to be understood to reflect
in any way on lir. Chatham's capabilities. On the contrary I
have
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