C.
453
No. 102.
LETTER FROM SURVEYOR GENERAL TO ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY.
BECO
SURVEYOR GENERAL'S OFFICE,
REGE 20 JUN, 1879.
SIR,
With reference to any delays that may have lately arisen, or that may yet arise, during this monsoon, in the despatch of public business by this Department, and in explanation of what may appear a want of promptness on my part in attending to the every day official matters referred to me by Government, it is my duty to bring to the notice of His Excellency the Administrator the extra-ordinarily heavy press of work under which the Public Works Staff is labouring at the present moment in connexion with the Praya works.
2. The consequence of a typhoon in the present defenceless condition of the Praya would be so disastrous that it is imperative for the present to subordinate all other description of work to the raising of the new sea-wall to such a height as will afford some degree of security to the houses in the event of a storm.
3. With this object every thing is being done, that lies in the power of this Department, to expedite matters, but in spite of the untiring energy of the Assistant Surveyor General and the zeal of the four Overseers sent out from England, the works do not progress as rapidly as Mr. BOWDLER or myself could wish, owing less to the dilatoriness and want of system on the part of the chief contractor than to the natural delays and difficulties involved in so heavy a tidal work, and to the unpropitious season of the year for out-door labour.
4. I may mention that since the tide work began last year Mr. BOWDLER and the four Overseers have not had one day's rest or relaxation; they have remained on duty in all weathers, every Sunday as well as on Christmas day, Good Friday, the 24th of May and all other Government holidays, frequently remaining on the works during the hours of low tide until after midnight, and sometimes until nearly daylight.
5. I do not touch upon this with the intention of parading before His Excellency the merits of the Officers of this Department, but simply to show how practically and zealously the latter is endeavouring to minimize the dangers arising from a possible typhoon.
6. In consequence therefore of what I have set forth I would request you to move His Excellency the Administrator to be good enough to approve of my postponing the elaboration of the Central School, Hospital and Stone Cutters' Island Gaol projects until the expiration of the typhoon season in September next, when, public anxiety being allayed, I may relax the pressure under which the Praya reconstruction is being carried on, and thus be enabled to turn my undivided attention to the other works just enumerated.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
J. M. PRICE,
Surveyor General.
MINUTE BY HEAD MASTER OF CENTRAL SCHOOL AND ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY.
Speaking of the Central School, as the Plans would go home for approval, it will, on this proposal, be next spring before anything can be done; and I suppose the same holds good for the others.
Submitted,
F. STEWART,
9th June, 1879.
MINUTE BY THE ADMINISTRATOR.
Approved. This paper to be submitted to the Governor on his return.
10th June, 1879.
W. H. MARSH,
Acting Colonial Secretary.
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Page 454
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C.
453
No. 102.
LETTER FROM SURVEYOR GENERAL TO ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY.
BECO
SURVEYOR GENERAL'S OFFICE,
REGE 20 JØ, RIS 79. SIR,With reference to any delays that may have lately arisen, or that may yet arise, during this monsoon, in the despatch of public business by this Department, and in explanation of what may appear a want of promptness on my part in attending to the every day official matters referred to me by Government, it is my duty to bring to the notice of His Excellency the Administrator the extra- ordinarily heavy press of work under which the Public Works Staff is labouring at the present moment in connexion with the Praya works.
2. The consequence of a typhoon in the present defenceless condition of the Praya would be so disastrous that it is imperative for the present to subordinate all other description of work to the raising of the new sea-wall to such a height as will afford some degree of security to the houses in the event of a storm.
3. With this object every thing is being done, that lies in the power of this Department, to expedite matters, but in spite of the untiring energy of the Assistant Surveyor General and the zeal of the four Overseers sent out from England, the works do not progress as rapidly as Mr. BOWDLER or myself could wish, owing to less to the dilatoriness and want of system on the part of the chief contractor than to the natural delays and difficulties involved in so heavy a tidal work, and to the unpropitious season of the the year for out-door labour.
4. I may mention that since the tide work began last year Mr. BowDLER and the four Overseers have not had one day's rest or relaxation; they have remained on duty in all weathers, every Sunday as well as on Christmas day, Good Friday, the 24th of May and all other Government holidays, frequently remaining on the works during the hours of low tide until after midnight, and sometimes until nearly daylight.
5. I do not touch upon this with the intention of parading before His Excellency the merits of the Officers of this Department, but simply to show how practically and zealously the latter is endeavouring to minimize the dangers arising froin a possible typhoon.
6. In consequence therefore of what I have set forth I would request you to move His Excellency the Administrator to be good enough to approve of my postponing the elaboration of the Central School, Hospital and Stone Cutters' Island Gaol projects until the expiration of the typhoon season in September next, when, public anxiety being allayed, I may relax the pressure under which the Praya reconstruction is being carried on, and thus be enabled to turn my undivided attention to the other works just enumerated."
I have the honour to be,
Honourable F. STEWART,
Acting Colonial Secretary,
St.,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
J. M. PRICE,
Surveyor General.
MINUTE BY HEAD MASTER OF CENTRAL SCHOOL AND ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY. Speaking of the Central School, as the Plans would go home for approval, it will. on this proposal, be next spring before anything can be done; and I suppose the same holds good for the others.
Submitted,
F. STEWART,
9th June, 1879.
MINUTE BY THE ADMINISTRATOR.
Approved. This paper to be submitted to the Governor on his return.
10th June, 1879.
Acting Colonial Secretury.
W. H. MARSH.
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