26
116
In support of the figure which I have just quoted I adduce the
following figures, which are correct by my paysheets for February, but exclude the passport staff, which works in its own watertight
compartment:
Clerical staff, including shroffs Administrative and executive staff
with Government experience
ithout
15
8
262
Nothing but the greatest loyalty on the part of my staff, and intensely
hard work on the part of all concerned, prevented what was unavoidably
an unsatisfactory state of affairs from becoming a complete organizations
fiasco. It is too early yet to claim that any of my officers have
reached the peak of efficiency of which he is capable; it is pertinent
to inquire what policeman or sanitary inspector is considered a trained
man two months from the date of his engagement. If the present state
of my department is to be compared with anything else in the Hong Kọng
service, let it be compared with the Post Office, for instance, not as
that department is today, but as it was in 1841 within a month or two
of its institution; and yet even today complaints against the methods
of the Post Office are still not unknown, as I can testify. This
suggestion should help to place the matter in hand in its correct
perspective.
(111)
Aparent inability of administrative departments of Goverment
to adjust their methods to the demands of urgency,
I have already referred to the hesitation and delay in
adjusting my imprest account to the figure which experience showed to
be required. The delay on the part of the P. W. D. in supplying the
furniture requisitioned, or in doing the somewhat extensive alterations
required in the Depot were excusable, as it would manifestly be
uneconomical to maintain at all times sufficient staff to complete
promptly sudden demands. Other delays on the part of the same
department are less easy to understand.
Early in February this year
a serious situation arose, serious, i.e. from the point of view of my
work, as the result of the Japanese capture of Shayuechung end the
consequent irruption into the New Territories of large numbers of refugees; my officers proceeded to intercept the refugees to escort them
to a refugee camp where the Director of Medical Services had offered