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but that as the sugar trade (sic) directly pays for the College it should therefore be the judge as to whether it should be kept open. With this I quite agree but it is stated elsewhere that the Agricultural College Fund should be abolished and the expendi- ture items of this and other funds incorporated in the budget. If the College is to continue to be supported by the proceeds of a special export levy on sugar I do not think this proposal is prac- ticable or would be accepted by the agricultural community who pay the levy. I think this Fund must be continued so long as the college is maintained on its present basis though whether it is shown as an Appendix to the Estimates or not is a matter of indifference. The Commissioners' proposal would throw responsi- bility for the continued maintenance of the College on the Govern- ment if at any time the collection of the special levy became impossible.
The staff of the College might be borne on the estimates of the Department as they should be safeguarded as to their pension rights which are at present dependent on special resolutions of the Legis- lature. In that case a contribution to revenue should be made from College Funds equal to the entire pay of those members now borne on the College establishment plus a sum equal to the allow- ances now paid from College Funds to members of the Department who give lectures or perform other duties in connexion with the College. These contributions should include a proportionate con- tribution towards the pension of pensionable officers which night be fixed in the case of officers hitherto borne on the College staff at two-thirds of the full amount payable, Government bearing the other one-third in consideration of the services which these officers render to the Department of Agriculture.
as at
26. With regard to the Farm School I cannot but feel that it would be anomalous that a Colony so entirely dependent on agri- culture should make no contribution to elementary technical train- ing in agriculture, but I agree that the Farm School" present conducted is of very doubtful utility and that it might be suppressed for the time being as an emergency measure with little harm to agricultural interests. As soon as conditions permit how- ever I consider it should be reopened if possible on a more efficient and practical basis.
27. With regard to the Government Dairy my own opinion is that its value as a demonstration centre is negligible and that it should be abolished but I suggest that this matter be left to decision of the Council of Government.
Public Works.
28. A very extensive reorganization ia suggested in the Public Works Department with the general principles of which I am in accord. I doubt very much however whether the full programme
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of retrenchment proposed is possible. It is impossible to discuss this without a detailed consideration of particular posts which the time available does not permit.
29. The superior staff proposed by the Commissioners is :-
a Director;
a
Deputy or Assistant Director;
two District Engineers;
an Accountant.
I think this is insufficient as it makes no allowance for leave or illuess. In my opinion another engineer is needed and I suggest that be should be placed in charge of waterworks and irrigation works. There are a number of water supply systems and as the work in connexion with them is to some extent of a specialist character I think it would be advisable to have an engineer specially qualified in these duties. He could however act as relief engineer in the absence of the others. I also consider that a whole-time draftsman and quantity surveyor should be added to the staff. The absence of adequate plans and estimates has been one of the chief defects in the work of the Department and the proposal that the preparation of these plans and estimates should be left to the District Engineers and Deputy Director who will be principally cccupied in outdoor supervisory duties will not to my mind meet the case. It is true that little constructive work need be anticipated in the near future but there will always be some, and even repair work of any importance e.g., replacement of broken bridges &c., calls for plans if it is to be efficiently done.
30. The great reduction in the subordinate inspection staff pro- posed will I think be found impracticable. It does not make sufficient allowance for the need of constant, indeed incessant supervision over local craftsmen and labourers, but the number of Inspectors and Assistant Inspectors might well be reduced from the present establishment of sixteen to about half that number. Allowance must be made for the fact that all the staff have been accustomed for many years to work under the existing system. They cannot be expected to change their habits and outlook in a few weeks. The full changes proposed would only be practicable if a new staff of greatly superior efficiency could be obtained which is not possible at the rates of pay proposed. With the existing staff experience shows that constant inspection and check is necessary not only to ensure efficient work or even the continuance of work but to prevent misappropriation of material or its diversion to unauthorized uses. Insistence on the full programme of retrench- ment proposed by the Commission would I am confident be im- practicable with the present staff. Details can only be worked out in consultation with the Director of Public Works.
PUBLIC
RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
TLITTI
C.O.882/1
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