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is the mouth piece of the Government in the Legislative Council, on all matters connected with public works. He is also the Water Authority and the Building Authority and has a seat on the Sanitary Board. I do not at present propose that there should be any change in his position in regard to these matters though I think it possible that in the future it may be found desirable to establish a separate department for Waterworks,
4.
The Director of Public Works has two
Assistants, one for Hongkong and one for Kowloon and the
New Territories, These two officers deal with all matters
in their respective districts, and for the sake of
convenience they correspond direct with the Government though the final decision in important questions rests with the Director of Public Works. I am of opinion that these posts should continue to exist as they form a connecting link between the sub-departments and relieve the Director
of Public Works of much administrative work of a routine
character. The Assistant Director of Public Works, Hongkong
ie Mr. Hollingsworth who joined the service in 1897 and the !
Assistant Director of Public Works, Kowloon and New
Territories, is Mr. Jackman, who joined the service in 1903,
Their salaries are £1000 rising to £1150 by £30 annually.
I recommend that the salary of each of these posts be raised to £1050 rising to £1200 by £30 annually.
5.
Sub-departments of the Public Works
Department deal with Water Supply, Drainage, Roads, General Works, Architecture, the administration of the Buildings Ordinance and Electricity and in each case the work has
assumed dimensions and an importance which justify a reconsideration of the position of the officers in charge
of it.
6.
The question of improving the water supply
of the Colony has assumed great importance during the past
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