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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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C.O.885

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

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The societies realise that this measurement will add somewhat to the labours and cost of the Commission, but they point out that much of the work incidental to the measurement of an arc of meridian will necessarily be accomplished by the Boundary Commission. The ground is necessarily reconnoitred, bases are neces- sarily measured, trigonometrical stations are necessarily selected. The additional work would, consist chiefly in greater refinement in the observation of the angles and in the astronomical determinations. The Societies consider that if the oppor- tunity is not now taken, the measurement, when it is eventually executed, as it assuredly will be one day, will cost from twice to thrice as much as it would cost

now.

So strongly do the Societies feel the importance of carrying out the measure- ment under the favourable conditions which now exist, that they are prepared to contribute the sum of £1,000 towards the cost of the work, which they estimate to be about £2,000. They further recommend for consideration that the time to be occupied should be from about the 15th of January, 1908, to the 31st of May, 1908, that the personnel should consist of two officers and two non-commissioned officers of the Commission and that in addition one skilled observer should be sent from England, and they offer to place at the disposal of the Government two Repsold theodolites which are admirably suited for use in the suggested measurement.

I have been instructed by His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to lay the proposal for the suggested measurement, which is supported by high scientific authority, before the Congo Government for their favourable con- sideration and to enquire whether they have any objection to offer to it.

I avail myself, &c.,

Monsieur le Chevalier de Cuvelier.

25635

No. 65.

UGANDA.

(For the Minister),

PERCY C. WYNDHAM.

THE ACTING COMMISSIONER to THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

(No. 94.)

MY LORD,

(Received July 19, 1907.)

[Answered by No. 93.]

Government House, Uganda, June 25, 1907. I ILAVE the honour to forward, for Your Lordship's consideration, copy of a letter which I have received from the Chief Surveyor with regard to the reorganisa- tion of the Survey Department of the Protectorate.

2. Major Hills's work here and his report thereon have greatly impressed me with their practicability but, as His Excellency the Commissioner has taken much interest in the survey and has decided views on the subject, I venture to submit the suggestion that consideration of that subject would gain in value by reference to him while in London.

1

SIR,

I have, &c.,

Enclosure in No. 65.

GEORGE WILSON,

Acting Commissioner.

LAND OFFICER AND CHIEF SURVEYOR to DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, Entebbe.

(No. 33.)

Land and Survey Office, Entebbe, May 30, 1907.

I HAVE the honour to invite His Excellency's attention to the following points in connection with the reorganisation of the Survey Department mostly on the lines suggested in the recent report presented to the Secretary of State by Major E. H. Hills, R.E., C.M.G.

2.

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I desire, in the first instance, to point out that three members of the present staff, viz., Messrs. E. Richardson, L. R. Fraser, and E. G. Fenning, all of whom have completed a first term of engagement for three years at a salary of £350 per annum, have left Uganda for home. Of these, Mr. Fraser is the only one who has signed a bond undertaking either to return on termination of the six months' leave, to which in the event of his re-engaging for a further term he is entitled, or failing such re- engagement to refund the leave pay which during that period he will receive. Mr. E. Richardson will re-engage provided that he cannot obtain a better appointment else- where; Mr. Fenning cannot give a definite reply, but thinks it improbable that he will do so. In addition to the above, two more surveyors will be leaving on 1st July next, and another on 14th October. Two of these, Mr. Winckler and Captain Toppin, are receiving pay at the rate of £350 per annum, and one, Mr. Seth Smith, at the rate of £300; all these are on first appointment for a term of three years. Captain Toppin does not propose to re-engage, Mr. Winckler desires to do so on an increased salary, and Mr. Seth Smith has not yet come to any decision.

3. In order to keep the staff, already too small for the work which it is called upon to do, up to full strength, I propose that assistants going on leave be given notice that if within three months from the date of reaching England they have not given a definite undertaking to return, their places will be at once filled up; this will give a period of, say, two months within which to fill the appointments in such a manner that survey operations are only interfered with to the extent of the leave (six months) to which they would be entitled; if they are given six months within which to decide whether or no to re-engage it means that the Department is deprived of the services of an assistant for the leave period plus the time necessary to find a substitute.

4. The present system of appointments for terms of years with little or no prospect of permanent posts does not and never will, as Major Hills points out, induce Men must be good men to come and remain in the service of the Protectorate. clearly given to understand that, provided their work is good, there is a reasonable prospect of promotion and eventually of permanent appointments. Assuming that the suggestions on this point, that of regular increments of salary, and eventually permanent appointments, are adopted (and this is the only way to build up a thoroughly good Department), it may be possible to obtain suitable men at salaries to begin with of £250 to £280; but otherwise it is most improbable.

5. Granted the above modifications of service and assuming that Captain Toppin and Mr. Fenning will not return, I recommend that Messrs. E. Richardson and L. R. Fraser be given permanent appointments at salaries of £350 by £10 to £400. That Mr. Boazman's appointment be forthwith made permanent at his present salary of £350 with £10 increments to £400 on re-engagement on termination of his present period of service. These three assistants would be placed in charge of the topographical and cadastral parties which, in accordance with Major Hills's I recommend recommendations, it is proposed to organise as soon as possible. further, that Mr. H. E. Winckler be given a permanent appointment as District Surveyor in Usoga at a salary of £350 per annum (this is in accordance with Major Hills's report), and that Mr. Seth Smith be appointed as District Surveyor for the Kingdom of Uganda at a salary of £350 per annum, the appointment to be a permanent one.

6. I recommend further, that two new appointments be made at once, one to replace Captain Toppin, one to replace Mr. Winckler, whom, in accordance with Major Hills's report, it is proposed to promote to be District Surveyor in Usoga (the promotion taking the form of a permanent post on his present salary), and that if Mr. Fenning has not at the end of three months decided to return, a new man be at once appointed to fill the vacancy. Should Mr. Fenning return, then I recommend that he be given a permanent appointment at a salary of £350 by £10 to £400. All these new appointments should be for three years at salaries of £250 to £280 by £10, as recommended by Major Hills. It is essential to bear in mind that men appointed to these posts may reasonably expect some day to fill the higher appointments, and must therefore be men of education; none but men of good education and social position should be appointed. It is very desirable that they should undergo a course of instruction at Southampton Ordnance Survey Depart-

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