1932-04-11 — Page 7

MONDAY, APRIL 11, 1932.

Retrenchment Commission's

Recommendations

Harbour Department Over-Staffed and To-day Uneconomical

Inadequate Scale of Fees for

Ship Surveys

.

Instalment II,

of five, without undue sacrifice of eficiency.

consider

In any case

THE

CHINA MAIL.

Kong. Government, and as a result would have been useless to publish *** of his recommendations, published them before the findings of the Con-

as Sessional Paper No. 5 of 1927, ference were ready.

an increase in surveyors from eight 11-The work of the Marine Sur- to fourteen was authorised. It veyor's Department could be lighten-|| should here. bo remarked that fored by having annual instead of bi- general purposes there are three annual surveys in the case of non- classes of Passenger Certificate passenger carrying launches-with issued; Class III' for river steamers, the right reserved to the Govern Class I for coastal trade and Classment Marine Surveyor to examine IA for world-wide trade. It was a launch at any time should he recognition of the lost that was have grounds for considering this

Ako Government} sought. When the Board of Trade's to be necessary. representative was in the Colony, he might at its discretion 'grant expressly stated that the Board was cognition to certificates issued by not concerned with the Hong Kong firms of private surveyors in respect Class I and Class III certificates. of launch surveys. The increase of six surveyors was therefore prima facie for Class IA survey work

re-

Government's Comment. Paragraph 11.-In 1929 there

of

the

7. In 1980 ten ships were sur- were inspected only twenty-five non- veyed for this class of certificate and passenger-carrying launches; and of the fees collected by Government in these twenty-five only those built of respect thereof were $18,000. There wood were surveyed twice yearly. It would hardly be worth-while to seems to be small prospect of any marked increase in the future in hand over to private surveyors the Inspection of twenty-five launches the number of ships taking out Class IA certificates. To main-oat of a total of over 400. Govern- pay for tain an additional six European sur-ment does not feel able to accept spectors would more than

The figures do not veyors for ten ships would be the the certificates of private surveyors The staff of the Harbour Depart-

But in respect of passenger-carrying It height of extravagance, regards the result the combined post was divid- their salaries.

this claim.

launches. ment, particularly us

12. The Commissioners were Europeans, has grown considerablyed into two separate posts. There seem to bear out

is a third European clerk in the was explained in evidence that had fact the six surveyors were not within the last five years, and whilst the Commissioners fully re- Clearance Office. It is considered not the number of inspectors been! wholly for the IA certificate survey struck by the inadequate scale

8.-At the time when the Board the fees charged for ship surveys Whilst they do) cognize the desirability of efficiency, desirable to have a European in this, augmented the revenue would have work. they also realise that there is a office to deal with European masters dropped, owing to there being fewer point where efficiency becomes un- and agents entering and clearing large vessels in the waters of the of Trade's representative was mak-of various kinds.

The officer in ques- Colony, and that the collection of ing his investigations the Harbour not consider that it should be the economical, and in their opinion their ships.

Surveyor's department, they do this point has been passed. Theretion is a Probationer on the scale fees from sampans and small craft Master considered that his staff of policy of Government to make a

that the ordinary work of the depart-

the fees charged is moreover the danger that too $1,200 to $1,560 per annum. There was laborious and expensive. The eight surveyors was insufficient for profit out of the Government Marine

The Board's representative consider that

should bear, some relation to the rigorous regulations may discour- is also a European clerk in the Gov. Commissioners

recommendations | erament Marine Surveyor's Office, the infiction of severer penalment.

дв such

confiscation included in his

the cost of running the department. age shipping from using the port.

has increased ties,

owner'e extra staff sufficient to cover

With this recommendation it is 2. The executive of the depart- the work of which

the offending

of the Harbour

Harbour Master the Harbour considerably. The stenographer is of ment consists of

Harbour considered necessary for the hand-craft, for non-payment of licence requirements

To do this it will be Master,

Deputy the Master and Assistant Harbouring of the confidential work of the fees would lead to more prompt pay- Master, fearing that if this were not understood the

work necessary to price-cost the depart- the Harbour Master Master. Prior to 1925 there was a head office, in addition to taking ment of fees, and so relieve the dune, the extra surveyors engaged agrees.

of meetings, etc. Govern- work of the inspectorate in rounding primarily for LA certificate

the would be taken from this work and ment,-this

undertake under expert Harbour Master and Assistant Har- notes

The Commissioners ment does not consider it possible to up defaulters.

Treasury supervision, and bour Master.

the department. are not satisfied that the posts of reduce the Senior Clerical and Ac- post of Chief Assistant Inspector employed on the ordinary work of should

9. The Commissioners consider Goverment should then fix the fees Where work ́18}] both Deputy and Assistant Harbour counting Staff in the Harbour De-should be abolished.

Government's Comment. that the Harbour Master was wrong proportionately. Master are necessary, and they re- partment below this establishment commend that they be re-amalga-

Paragraph 5.-The table attach-in hla estimate of the staff require-done for foreign non-local firms the mated into one post; leave require-

4-The Harbour Master gave it ed to the Report shows that during ments of the Government Marine fees should be sufficiently high to ments notwithstanding. The Har-

increase in, the period 1921-1929, revenue, in Surveyor's department; and that as ensure that the cost of the services in evidence that the be rt- bour Master should

1930 in the number of Boarding respect of junks and boats, reached a result of his wishes having been rendered will be more than gover

aver, ed.

Government's Comment. amount lieved of a certain of work by the transference to the Officers from five to seven was made, its maximum in 1924 with $176,175 met the department is now Public Court of all non-technical net at his request, but at the in- when there were five junk inspec-staffed. The Commissioners do not cases, which at present come before stance of the River Steamers' Com- tors, and that in 1929 when there advocate the abandonment of the Paragraph 12.-The cost of the mission. It is recommended that were seven inspectors it had dropped 1A certificate, but they are of the Government Marine Surveyor's De The estimated revenue of him as Marine Magistrate.

the number of five be reverted to, to $166,333. In the former Jeaf, opinion-Mer having heard expert partment is roughly $250,000 per Government's Comment.

Government's Comment, however, there we 16.770 boats evidence of a number of witnesses annum. Paragraph 2 The hearing of non-technical cases by the Harbour Paragraph 4-Government ads paying licence fees and 4,305 Junks both from the Government Marine the department for 1932 on the pre- fees were trebled there would still Master takes on an average ten to itself unable to agree with the Com- (exclusive of foreign trading junks Surveyor's staff and private chip sent scale of fees-ls $78,500. fifteen minutes a day. To transfer missioners. As a result of the ap- which pay a reduced fee based on ping and surveyors firms-that a

Govern- additional the number of trips to Hong Kong). reduction can safely be made from be an appreciable gap between re these cases to the Central Magis-pointment tracy would not therefore do much Boarding Officers there has been a In 1929 the figures were 17,862, and fourteen surveyors to ten without venue and expenditure.

A junk is the efficient carrying out of the sur-ment, however, considers that any to lighten the work of the Harbour great improvement in the matter of 4,003 respectively.

the Government Marine To jettison larger than a boat and pays a high-veys of ships for IA certificates he attempt at the present juncture to Master. But even apart from this overloading of ships.

Surveyor's Depratment self support. consideration Government is not this work just when it is beginninger fee; on the other hand it takes ing in any way jeopardised.

ing by Increased survey fees would prepared to put back the clock to to have a good effect would be unjust as must time to collect the feel posts of Draughtsman and the extent that would result from a wise. Nevertheless, in order to from a boat as it does from a junk. Tapemen should also be abolished.

be a grave mistake. The position Government's: Comment. reduction of three to two executive meet the views of the Commission Also the average size of the boats

Paragraphs 6-9-It has been will be further considered when the officers. The reason for the in-so far as possible, on the occurrence paying fees (which vary according

The question of reducing crease in 1925 from two to three of a vacancy in any of the seven to the size of boat) had diminished decided that, on the retirement next state of the shipping industry im

The con-year of the Government Marine proves. was that two officers were insuffi- posts it will be left unfilled, until in the period 1924-29. cient. It is only necessary to call it can be

not, clusion that follows is that ap-Surveyor, there is to be no recruit- the personnel is, as stated

the same amount of ment to all the vacancy that will re- paragraphs 6-9, still being

sidered. to mind the unsatisfactory an appreciable decline in efficiency proximately

The question of further re- revenue has had to be collected from Bult. whereby

AB-results. rangement sistant Superintendent of Police, 5.-A table is attached showing a greater number of vessels. That ductions is still under consideration. 18-It may be that the Yaumat!| the Commissioners considered the the Magistrate's Clerk,

the amount collected in licence fees the appointment of junk inspectors Singapore, which has recently fol-Slipway.constitutes

is also lowed the example of Hong Kong in officer borrowed from the Royal for junka and cargo boats and the is a paying prosposition Navy, performed, the duty of number of inspectors in each of the borne out by the following statis- seeking world-wide recognition for point at length, but in the absence its class 1A passenger certificates, of any comprehensible figures were Assistant Harbour Master dur- past ten years. To justify the in- tica:- ing the absence on leave of either creases in the number of inspectors In 1921 the Yaumati Jung Office has been asked for information as unable to come to a conclusion. This the Harbour Master or Assistant in 1926 and 1927 it was claimed was taken over by the Harbour to the details of the staff of its sub-division of the Harbour Office Harbour Master, to realise what a that the appointment of these in- Offis from the Police. The revenue Marine Surveyor's Office and of the should be price-costed, and then a It must bewever be decision arrived at, as to whether collected by this office rose from work done. retrograde step it would be to re-

at the (a) the alipway should not indeed $8,048 in 1920 to $18,000 in 1921. remembered that it was vert to an executive staff of two.

On August 1, 1923, the Shaukiwan special request of this Government be enlarged to take all Government Moreover subsequently to 1925 the

Junk Office was taken over. The that the Board of Trade sent out a launches; and to undertake machine Harbour Master has had assigned

revenue rose from $16,886 in 1922 representative to report on the repaira, or alternatively, (b), be to him the duties of Director of Air Services, which already involve

to $22,946 in 1924, (the first full staffing of the Government Marine closed entirely except for such ac commodation as is needed for stores. with a year under the Harbour Office), In Surveyor's Department, a considerable amount of work.

1926 Aberdeen was taken over with view to the recognition by the Board It cannot be economic, to play at re- This work will tend to increase year understood that It is by year.

the result that the revenue rose of Trade of the Hong Kong class pair work. Either all Government from $18.671 in 1925 to $16,518 in 1A passenger certificate, and that launches should be wholly repaired the Harbour Master was not ques-

1920. The initial salary of an if the Government is not prepared at the slipway or no repairs be tioned as to the work performed by

Assistant Junk Insector is $2,000, to accept the recommendations of undertaken at all.. his two Assistants.

one

OD

Dr

all

of the two

Been whether or

LOCAL SHARE MARKET.

Some Activity.

Noticeable.

RATES UNCHANGED.

3-In 1923 there were in twenty three elerks, none of whom were European. In 1931 the, au- The official summary ised by thorised establishment consists of the Stock Exchange to-day states:

In the investment section shares five European clerke, one stenogra

and are again being sought after, but pher and thirty-five clerks shroffs. Such a large increase is only at current quotations.

Generally, there was no change not In the opinion of the Commis- :sioners justified. Of the five Euro- lef rates at this morning's session,

Sales. 'peana two are in the Harbour Office in the Government "proper",

Marine Surveyors' Office, one in the 'Shipping Oẞce, and one vacant post. "The Commissionera consider that the stenographer la иплесев- sary and that one European clerk in the Harbour.Omco .and ODE

the Government in "Marine Surveyors' Office, mak. fing a total, of two European clerks, to be quite aufficient for the work to be done. Reductions should also, be made in the Junior Clerical *Staff. This will be reported, on generally elsewhere,..

Government's Comment. Paragraph 8.With the gradual increase in the size of the depart ment and the greater amounts col- Jected in fear, it was found that the fice assis work of accountant and; tant was too much for one officer, and in 1929 the Treasurer minut

#in my

of the Harbonar Oma and important that: 4.

Bran

H.K. Electrics, $7431⁄2. Watsons (Righta), $93⁄41⁄2..

Buyers Hong Kong Banks, $1,535. Union Insurances, $470.. Douglases, $26. -Benguets, $13

Rauba, $88 Wharves, $142. Docks,, $20,000 Providents (old), $4.85. Providents, (new), $24, Hotels Cum. Rights), $18.35. Hong Kong Realtles, $11 Chinese Estates, 895-5 Ewo Cottons, TIS, 14.8. Hong Kong Trame, 213. Peak Trams, (old), $15%) Hong Kong Electrica," $74, Telephones (PF.), $24. Amusements 220 Construction Govt. Toans, 825.

Interna

A

The make two

I face of these facts Goverment the Board of Trade's representative, féels that to adopt the recommenda- a not unnatural result would be for

If all

under

con-

En economy;

Government's Comment.,

tion of the Commission would only the Board of Trade to withdraw its Paragraph 18. This matter has result. In an equat, if not greater recognition from the Hong Kong been referred to the Treasurer, who falling off in the revenue. They certificate. That is a contingency is not yet in a position to report. are prepared however to meet the which this Government would not be Detailed examination of accounts is Involved and will necessarily take views of the Commissioners to the prepared to accept...

extent that the post of Asdistant 10- was said in the opening some time.

14-A matter which came to Chief Junk Inspector will be left paragraph that too rigorous regula- Vacant experimentally on a vacancy tions may disconrate shipping from the notes of the Commissioners is Ad Instance of the payment of overtime in connec- occurring. Confiscation of a junk using this port

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or boat, usually the sole moans of this occurs in the case of surveys of tion with surveys of ships and THREE STAR livelihood of the owner, for failure coastal ships. Hong Kong has as emigration work. They would point

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C

• Governments. Comment.........

notable increase in personnel. In been drawn up and are being con- Paragraph 14-No overtime is baie cared 1928 the authorised establishment, sidered by the Marine Surveyor's

ked.

on special

of European Surveyors was four department. Meanwhile, however request from dockyards, agents, or

ajor exceft" néta: The amount of fee pay-

In 1926 it was Increased to sit, in an attempt is being made 1927, to eight, and it is now four to raise the standard required, of able to the officer was fixed by the teen. There are two reasons for coastal ships to that required by the Salaries. Commissionen this. Firstly, understafingWit Board of Trade at home. Were the nesses both from the department It-Marine Surveyor's Department, not self and from shipping Irma stated over-staffed it is probable that this that the work in förmér years was would sot have contred Public "skimpily donery Secondly, thelastion of the Hong sire of the Hong Kong Government should be to obtain for its 7 passenger cert

which could onlyıb

prior, recognition:

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