C. C.
14402
ECR
REG? 16 SEP 80
DEPARTMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT GARDENS AND TREE PLANTING.
The following papers have been laid before the Legislative Council.
MINUTE OF H. E. GOVERNOR SIR RICHARD GRAVES MACDONNELL, K.C.M.G., C.B.
9th JANUARY, 1872.
226
Mr. AUSTIN. I am not aware of any reason why Mr. FORD'S Department should not be altogether withdrawn from the nominal control of the Surveyor General. The interposition of the latter officer as an organ of communication with the Government may have been necessary when the person in charge of the Public Gardens and Planting was a person so uneducated and of generally such inferior personal status as Mr. McDONALDSON the late Superintendent.
At present the Executive.
I see no result but injurious delay in placing any department between Mr. FORD and
I therefore think that arrangements should be made, as soon as possible, for Mr. FORD's having the direct management under the Governor or such Committee as may be appointed of the Public Gardens and general Planting.
He should be responsible for all the accounts and payments made on behalf of his Department. I wish to know what special arrangements are necessary to give effect to this change, and whether any reasons occur to you for regarding it as undesirable.
MINUTE OF MR. GARDINER AUSTIN.
R. G. MACDONNELL.
I see no objection whatever to the Garden Department being removed from the charge of the Surveyor General and placed under the superintendence of the Government Gardener, controlled by the Committee. The monthly salary abstract must, as provided by the Estimate, be charged to the Survey Department, but that is a matter which can be easily arranged at the Audit Office, and I shall be very glad to give Mr. FORD whatever information he may require as to the manner in which his accounts should be kept and made out. For the Estimate of 1873 it will be as well, perhaps, to separate the Gardens altogether from the Survey Department.
J. GARDINER AUSTIN, Colonial Secretary.
9th January, 1872.
MINUTE OF H. E. GOVERNOR SIR RICHARD GRAVES MACDONNELL, K.C.M.G., C.B.
I have desired Mr. FORD to call at the Colonial Secretary's Office to-day for instructions.
It must not be supposed that Mr. FORD is to take his instructions from or to be controlled by the Garden Committee, which is a body quite unknown to the local constitution, and with no legal permanent authority.
The Committee is supposed to make suggestions to the Governor, who instructs Mr. FORD, when approves the suggestions, to carry them out.
That is and must temporarily be the theory, although in practice, there will not be quite so much round-aboutism or red-tape, as no doubt the Committee generally speaking whilst keeping the Governor informed of their general plans and obtaining approval of the Executive for such measures and for the accessory expenditure will manage ordinary details well enough with Mr. FORD, referring to me only when really necessary.
R. G. MACDONNELL. 10th January, 1872.
C. C.
14402
ECR
REG? 16 SEP 80
DEPARTMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT GARDENS AND TREE PLANTING.
The following papers have been laid before the Legislative Council.
MINUTE OF H. E. GOVERNOR SIR RICHARD GRAVES MACDONNELL, K.C.M.G., C.B.
9th JANUARY, 1872.
226
Mr. AUSTIN. I am not aware of any reason why Mr. FORD'S Department should not be altogether withdrawn from the nominal control of the Surveyor General. The interposition of the latter officer as an organ of communication with the Government may have been necessary when the person in charge of the Public Gardens and Planting was a person so uneducated and of generally such inferior personal status as Mr. McDONALDSON the late Superintendent.
At present the Executive.
I see no result but injurious delay in placing any department between Mr. FORD and
I therefore think that arrangements should be made, as soon as possible, for Mr. Forn's having the direct management under the Governor or such Committee as may be appointed of the Public Gardens and general Planting.
He should be responsible for all the accounts and payments made on behalf of his Department. I wish to know what special arrangements are necessary to give effect to this change, and whether any reasons occur to you for regarding it as undesirable.
MINUTE OF MR. GARDINER AUSTIN.
R. G. MACDONNELL.
I see no objection whatever to the Garden Department being reinoved from the charge of the Surveyor General and placed under the superintendence of the Government Gardener, controlled by the Committee. The monthly salary abstract must, as provided by the Estimate, be charged to the Survey Department, but that is a matter which can be easily arranged at the Audit Office, and I shall be very glad to give Mr. Foun whatever information he may require as to the manner in which his accounts should be kept and made out. For the Estimate of 1873 it will be as well, perhaps, to separate the Gardens altogether from the Survey Department.
J. GARDINER AUSTIN, Colonial Secretary.
9th January, 1872.
MINUTE OF H. E. GOVERNOR SIR RICHARD GRAVES MACDONNELL, K.C.M.G., C.B.
I have desired Mr. FORD to call at the Colonial Secretary's Office to-day for instructions.
It must not be supposed that Mr. FORD is to take his instructions from or to be controlled by the Garden Committee, which is a body quite unknown to the local constitution, and with no legal per- manent authority.
be
The Committee is supposed to make suggestions to the Governor, who instructs Mr. FoRD, when approves the suggestions, to carry them out.
That is and must temporarily be the theory, although in practice, there will not be quite so much round-aboutism or red-tape, as no doubt the Committee generally speaking whilst keeping the Governor nformed of their general plans and obtaining approval of the Executive for such measures and for the Accessary expenditure will manage ordinary details well enough with Mr. FORD, referring to me only
heu really necessary.
R. G. MACDONNELL. 10th January, 1872.
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