08/47
COLONIAL OFFICE,
DOVER HOUSE,
WHIT HALL, S..1.
January, 1948
12 1
Dear Millbourn,
The Governor of Hong Kong put forward last year certain proposals for the re-organization and renaming of the Harbour De artment of the Hong Kong Government. The proposals have now been approved by my secretary of State and I am writing to acquaint you with the details, in case you require them for purposes of record.
2. It has been decided to alter the title of the Harbour Department to "Marine Department". Up to now the organization has consisted of a Harbour Master and one Assistant Harbour Master, who, together with the requisite clerical assis- tance, controlled the administration of the Harbour and its services. The administrative staff was, however, felt to be unnecessarily large and the administration over-centralized. The office of the Ship Surveyors will therefore now become directly responsible to the *Harbour Master and the licensing, harbour control, magisterial, craft maintenance, and other miscellaneous offices will be grouped under a separate head, also directly responsible to the *Harbour Master. The close liaison between the two branches which has existed hitherto will be maintained.
3. Under the new organization the Harbour Master will be termed the Director of Marine, and he will have
P. 5. MILLBURN, ESQ: •
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