CO129-137 - Sir MacDonnell - 1869 [4-5] — Page 180

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

177

business when necessary. Neither Mr Austin nor myself can devise new improvements, and I believe that with the present competent and willing staff a very moderate strictness of supervision will keep in efficient order the Machinery of the Department notwithstanding the complex character of its work.

At the same time the position of Colonial Secretary here is very peculiar, as he has and can have generally so little work to get through. This appears to be more the case during my Administration than usual, but supposing the Governor to attend to business himself, and by the constitution of the Colony he cannot divest himself of countless direct responsibilities on all sides. The portion of duty left to the Colonial Secretary, as such merely, is necessarily much smaller than consists with the experience and habits of an Officer of Mr Austin's standing.

5. The latter has therefore thrown out the suggestion of the possible amalgamation of the offices of Colonial Secretary and Treasurer, if the moment were opportune for considering such a suggestion. I think there are objections to an officer of the Colonial Secretary's position being subordinated in the details of his duty to the Auditor General, who is virtually the controller of the Treasurer's actions.

6. I would prefer economical reform as a more useful and practicable measure than amalgamation of offices.

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177 business when necessary. Neither Mr Austin nor myself can devise new improvements, and I believe that with the present competent and willing staff a very moderate strictness of supervision will keep in efficient order the Machinery of the Department notwithstanding the complex character of its work. At the same time the position of Colonial Secretary here is very peculiar, as he has and can have generally so little work to get through. This appears to be more the case during my Administration than usual, but supposing the Governor to attend to business himself, and by the constitution of the Colony he cannot divest himself of countless direct responsibilities on all sides. The portion of duty left to the Colonial Secretary, as such merely, is necessarily much smaller than consists with the experience and habits of an Officer of Mr Austin's standing. 5. The latter has therefore thrown out the suggestion of the possible amalgamation of the offices of Colonial Secretary and Treasurer, if the moment were opportune for considering such a suggestion. I think there are objections to an officer of the Colonial Secretary's position being subordinated in the details of his duty to the Auditor General, who is virtually the controller of the Treasurer's actions. 6. I would prefer economical reform as a more useful and practicable measure than amalgamation of offices. Page 180 Page 181

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177 busines when necessary. Neither Mr Austin Mon can devise new myself. therefore any improvements, and I believe that with the present competent and willing staff а very moderate strictnep of supervision will keep in efficient onder the Machinery of the Department not withed banding the complex character of its work. £t. At the same time the position of Colonial Secretary here is very peculiar. as he has and can have generally. so little weak to get through. This appears to be mere the case during my Administration than usual. but supposing the Governer to attend to business himself, and by the constitution of the Colony he cannot divest shimself of countless direct responsibilities on all sides. The portion of duty left to the lookonial Secretary, as such merely is necefarily much smaller than consists with the experience and habito of an Officer of M2 Austin's services. a 5. The latter has therefore thrown out suggestion of the popible amalgamation of the offices of bolonial Secretory and Treasurer- if the moment for considering such however there are CAL were opportune suggestion. Ithink officer of olefections to an the leclonial Secretary's position being subordinated in the details of his duty to If the Auditor General, who is virtually the controller of the Treasurer's actions. 6. I would prefer economical reform an as a more useful and amalgamation of Page 180Page 181

2026-05-20 03:48:32 · Baseline

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177

busines when necessary. Neither Mr Austin

Mon

can devise

new

myself. therefore

any improvements, and I believe that with

the present competent and willing staff

very moderate strictnep of supervision

will keep in efficient onder the Machinery of the Department not withed banding the complex character of its work.

£t.

At the same time the position of Colonial Secretary here is very peculiar.

as he has and can have

generally.

so little

weak to get through. This appears to be

mere

the

case

during my

Administration

than usual. but supposing the Governer to attend to business himself, and by the constitution of the Colony he cannot divest shimself of countless direct responsibilities

on all sides. The portion of duty left to the lookonial Secretary, as such merely is necefarily much smaller than consists with the experience and habito of an Officer of

M2 Austin's services.

5. The latter has therefore thrown out suggestion of the popible amalgamation of the offices of bolonial Secretory and

Treasurer- if the moment

for considering such

however there

are

CAL

were

opportune

suggestion. Ithink

officer of

olefections to an

the leclonial Secretary's position being subordinated in the details of his duty to If the Auditor General, who is virtually the

controller of the Treasurer's actions. 6. I would prefer economical reform

as a more

useful and amalgamation of

Page 180Page 181

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