.536
Officer of the Southern District used to reside and where
the necessary accommodation is available, and that the duties of the District Officers should be re-arranged. The Senior District Officer should be responsible for the island and the Port Edward District, both administratively and judicially. He should, subject to the control of the Commissioner, be in charge of the Departments of Government, other than the Medical, Public Works and Afforestation Departments, and should deal with all court cases, whether civil or criminal, arising within his district. The Junior District Officer should be responsible for the remainder
of the territory and deal with all court cases, civil or criminal arising outside the district of the Senior District
Officer.
57. This arrangement might, at least, be tried for the present but I think that it is certain that it will be found that the work is really too much for two men and that a third officer is needed, and in order to avoid the considerable difficulties which arise whenever an officer has to take leave I recommend thet a third District Officer should be appointed. He should reside at Port Edward and should, I think, have some portion of the neighbouring territory assigned to him as his special district. He should also share the magisterial work of the Senior District Officer, relieving him of the minor civil and criminal
If cases,
and should generally assist him in his work. this arrangement is approved, it would perhaps be better that the more important cases, both civil and criminal, from the whole territory should be dealt with in the court of the Senior District Officer.
-
58. At this point there arises a great difficulty
the question of the method of obtaining suitable officers
for these posts.
The salaries provided in the Estimates are
Senior
J