COPY.
6
Hon. Colonial Secretary,
I beg to forward the accompanying petition received from the Executive and Assistant Engineers of this Department together with covering letter addressed to me which accompanied
it.
2.
I regret that, so shortly after my return from leave and whilst only holding acting appointment, I should be called upon to comment and report on a staff grievance, as whilst I am in sympathy with the views of the petitioners, I feel that recommendations with respect thereto would have carried so much more weight and possibly appeared in better taste if they had come from the Senior Officer who until so very recently had charge of the Department.
3. The Officers concerned, however, requested me to receive them as a body and, on doing so, I was further requested
to draw the attention of His in forwarding their petition Excellency to their qualifications and responsibilities.
4. I will accordingly endeavour to carry out their wishes and give some particulars of their duties and responsibil- ities, for the performance of which they consider the salaries they receive inadequate for the following reasons:-
(a) They compare unfavourably with the salaries paid to-day
for similar professional work elsewhere.
(b) They compare unfavourably with the salaries and prospects
of Officers in other branches of the service.
5. The Executive Engineers acting under the general authority of the Director of Public Works are each responsible for the administration of his Office Staff embracing Assistant Engineers, Clerk of Works, Overseers, Draughtsmen and Clerks, &c.
6. On being given the general outlines of any project, they prepare and submit to the Director of Public Works plans and sections showing detailed proposals for carrying it into
execution,