CO882-(1-2) — Page 347

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference -

C.O. 882

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ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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going among the people, removing their prejudices against Government Schools, or indiffer- ence against them, by suitable explanations, and so inducing them to send their children to school. I am inclined to think that want of energy and aptitude, in this respect, prevents the Master from succeeding. It has been stated to me, in the Master's defence, that undue influence is brought to bear against him; that he married a Roman Catholic; who is now a Protestant, and hence the prejudice against him. As this may not be without some effect, I shall recommend Mr. Bell, as he requests, for removal to another leality whenever an opportunity offers, and so let him have a chance of proving more successful than hitherto.

Plaines Wilhems School.

C. Dinnematin, Master; Mrs. Dionematin, Mistress; Monitor, vacant.

The Master, a Creole, is a person of considerable intelligence, and knows both the English and French languages quite well. His school is well attended in spite of competi- tion (and formerly, I believe, some opposition). The Mistress appears to me more efficient than the generality of country school-mistresses; but as the school is a mixed one, I cannot say how far the progress of the girls is attributable to her, and how far to the Master.

General Observations.

Respecting the qualifications of the Government teachers for other situations than those they now fill, I beg to observe that the only situation for which I have any grounds for judging of their fitness, and the only ones to which their present career seems naturally to lead, are such as are connected in some way or other with education. Were the office of Normal Schoolmaster vacant, or any other situation or situations for training pupils, the only persons who at present appear to me to have the necessary qualifications are Messrs. Clarke and Anderson. There may be situations to be filled up under the Ordinance for compulsory education, such as Inspectors of Schools and Collectors of Educational Statistics; for such the following teachers, besides those already named, would, I think, be eligible Mr. Leal, Mr. Dinnematin, and Mr. R. Bell. Though I state this, I should add that the Government Schools' Department could ill afford to lose their services just now.

(Signed) B. HUSSEY Walsh,

Superintendent.

No. 33.-Registration and Mortgage Office.

[By J. H. Finnis, Esq.]

Mr. Carosin, Acting Chief Clerk (vice Brouard, on sick leave, and since deceased).—His duties consist principally in entering into the different accounts kept with individuals, in the Mortgage Branch of the office, the transactions in which they are concerned, preparing certi- ficates of the charges affecting real properties, reducing and removing inscriptions, verifying entries, collating, and a great many other details, requiring both legal knowledge (French law), and a knowledge of persons, as well as local information.

Mr. Carosin is a French barrister; was several years in a notary's office, and two years Civil Commissary and Assistant Juge de Paix for the district of Black River. He is a gentleman of high character and attainments, and eminently qualified for the situation he Bills, and, indeed, for any other office. I cannot speak too highly of his efficiency, seul, and

conduct.

Mr. Lesage, Acting Firat Clerk (vice Carosin).—As he has been little more than a month in the office, and is consequently new to the duties, I cannot speak of him with the same confilence.

The duties of this clerk are pretty nearly the same as those of the Chief Clerk, and Mr. Lesage's unacquaintance with the law (French) is a very serious drawback; but, although so lately in the office, his local knowledge, business habits, intelligence and zeal, have already made him highly useful, and in a few months, by study and perseverance, his persevering industry will, I have no doubt, enable him to perform all the duties of his situa- tion. As far as I am able to judge in so short a time, I consider myself fortunate in obtain- ing his services in a situation of peculiar trust, and where a high character is as essential as special talents.

Mr. Olinier, Taxing Clerk.—He is charged with fixing the rates of duty leviable on acts presented for registration. He is also President of the Stamping Committee, besides being in charge of the stamps and dies.

From his not having received any legal education, and being imperfectly acquainted with the English language, his duties are performed by routine; he has been upwards of twenty-two years in the office. He is not able, without assistance, to deal with the com- plicated cases which sometimes occur, and, with the exception of the situation of Cashier, I do not consider him eligible for any higher situation in the office.

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Mr. Pitchen, First Registration Clerk-Registers the acts liable to proportional duties, or connected with the District Courts. His imperfect knowledge of English is a very serious drawback, but, in other respects, he is quite competent to the performance of his duties, and I cannot speak too highly of his industry, zeal, and conduct. The only situations in the office to which he is eligible for promotion are those of Cashier and Taxing Clerk.

Mr. Ducasse, Second Registration Clerk.-Charged with the registration of acts liable to fixed duties, and makes himself generally useful. Is quite competent to the discharge of his duties; a high principled and very deserving young man; but I do not consider him at present qualified for promotion beyond the office of First Registration Clerk, Taxing Clerk, or Cashier. I cannot sufficiently praise his seal, untiring industry, and cheerful endeavours to make himself useful.

Maliapa and Meya.-Charged with the transcription of acts; entering those presented for transcription or inscription; taxing certificates and extracts; and a variety of duties.

They are both very intelligent clerks, well acquainted with the routine of the office, and very useful, being competent to replace most of the other clerks; but their absences have been rather frequent, and, although lately I have been well pleased with them, I did not find them display, a few months ago, when the office was in the greatest embarrassment, that degree of zeal which circumstances required.

Mr. Z. Pitchen, Transcription Clerk.-A very intelligent and industrious clerk, com- petent to replace most of the others. From his writing a very clear hand, and being remarkably correct, he is peculiarly fitted for work requiring care and constant attention, such as making entries into the tables and repertories, &c. His zeal and industry are most praiseworthy.

Mr. Kittery.-A very good Cashier; but his situation being next in point of salary to that of First Clerk, he is not qualified for promotion.

Mr. Davray.-Charged with the recovery of eventual duties, collating, and miscel- laneous other duties; is an attorney-at-law, and a man of education; but since an attack of fever, a few years ago, his intellect has been somewhat disturbed, and his attendance being very irregular, he has not been an efficient officer.

Mr. Harris.-Charged with the duties connected with law charges and fines. Very intelligent, but unacquainted with French, and not over zealous; an indifferent clerk; would be better suited for an office requiring activity rather than close application to the desk.

Mr. Moncamp.-Charged with the transcription of seizures, &c.; keeping the check over the auctioneers; occasionally assisting at other duties; an indifferent clerk.

Mr. Nalletamby-Charged with delivering to the parties the acts which have been registered; an indifferent clerk; his want of education not admitting of his performing any other duties. Moreover, his health in so much impaired that his absences are very frequent, and it is a question whether he is not a proper subject to be invalided.

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Mr. Ventre, Mr. Villeneuve, Mr. P. Pitchen.-Young men, and very good copying clerks. Messrs. Ventre and Pitchen are qualified to be more than ordinary copying clerks, and eligible for promotion.

J. HENRY FINNIS, Receiver of Registration Dues and Coor, of Mortgages,

(Signed)

No. 34.-Civil Medical Department.

[By Dr. Clerihew.]

Civil Hospital,

Mr. Montgomery, Surgeon in charge.-Notwithstanding his age and long service, continues an active and efficient officer. His office is a difficult one, on account of the very large number of patients of many different nationalities and languages admitted into the hospital, and of the extreme difficulty in procuring subordinate officers and servants fit for the service, of the hospital, the salaries allowed by the Government being totally insufficient to procure good men.

Mr. Labat, Assistant Surgeon.-Continues to be an efficient and extremely useful officer. He possesses in perfection, one quality of the highest value in his position, viz., that he is scarcely ever absent from the hospital, and is always to be found when wanted. Io that important respect, it will be impossible to replace Mr. Labat.

Dr. Dupuy, Assistant Surgeon.—I entertain a high opinion of Dr. Dupuy, and the Surgeon in charge always speaks of him in the highest terms.

Mr. Chenard, Accountant and Purveyor.—Mr. Chenard is one of the most efficient officers in the service of the Government. His duties are very laborious: he is responsible for all the stores of the hospital, clothing, bedding, provisions, &c.: accounts for all receipts

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