I
Gen
43358/2
5
For the reasons given in paragraph 3 of my
despatch No.239 of July 21st, 1920, I am averse from increasing the minimum pay of an Assistant Engineer at present. It may prove to have been fixed too low but a few years must elapse before it is possible to say what in normal circumstances is the market-price of the class of man that we require. I agree, however, with Mr. Perkins that the maximum salary of the Executive Engineers is too low and I also concur in his opinion that the principle of continuous increments should be adopted. I recommend, therefore, that the officers of the Engineering Branch of this Department should rise from £400 to £700 by annual increments of £20 and thence to £950 by annual increments of £25 subject to efficiency bars at £600 and at £700. This proposal places the maximum salary of the Executive Engineer £50 above the minimum of the present salary of the two Assistant Directors of Public Works but I had in any case intended to suggest an alteration in the salaries of these two posts as they seem to me not to be commensurate with the importance of their duties. The two Assistant Directors perform similar duties and I think they should be paid the same and that the somewhat misleading titles of First and Second Assistant Director should be abandoned, both officers in future being styled "Assistant Directors of Public Works". The salary which I recommend is £1,000 a year rising to £1,150 by annual increments of £30.
4. If the principle of continuous increments is adopted I think it will be better to abandon the present titles of Assistant Engineer and First and Second Grade Executive Engineers in favour of some such names as "Junior" and "Senior Engineers" but that is a minor point which can be settled
later.
I have the honour to be, sir,
Your most obedient humble servant,
B. E. Stabbe
Governor, &c.