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HARBOUR DEPARTMENT-
Paragraph 2. The hoaring of non technical cases by the Harbour Master takes on an average ton to fifteen minutes a day. To transfer those cases to the Central Magistracy would not therefore do much to lighten the work of the Harbour Master. But even apart from this consideration Government is not pro parcd to put back the clock to the extent that would result from a
rcduction of three to two executive officers. The reason for
the increase in 1925 from two to three was that two officers
were insufficient. It is only necessary to call to mind the unsatisfactory arrangement, whereby an Assistant Superintendent of Police, the Magistrate's Clerk, or an officer borrowed from the Royal Navy, performed the duty of Assistant Harbour Master during the absence on leave of either the Harbour Master or Assistant Harbour Master, to realise what a retrograde stop it would be to revert to an executive staff of two. Morcover
subsequently to 1925 the Harbour Master has had assigned to him the duties of Director of Air Services, which already involve a considerable emount of work. This work will tend to increasc
year by year. It is understood that the Harbour Master was not questioned as to the work performed by his two Assistants.
Paragraph 3. With the gradual increase in the size
of the department and the greater amounts collected in foes it was found that the work of accountant and office assistent
was too much for one officer, and in 1929 the Treasurer minuted
"In my opinion the Accounts branch of the Harbour Office is so large and important that an European Accountant is necessary". As a result the combined post was divided into two separate
posts.
There is a third European clerk in the Clearance Office.
It is