CO129-251 - Acting Governor Barker - 1891 [9-11] — Page 304

8.

JUL

not fully acquainted, or to which he cummot properly attend,

then the public service will be better performed by its entire

separation and independence. It is clear that in any cases

there must be some limit to the extent and variety of work which

one man may safely be called upon to perform, centralisation

must depend, as to the extent to which it may be safely carried,

on the personal qualifications of the indivirtual who is to be

at the head of affairs. The arguments, as to economy, which have,

been adduced in favour of the re-union of the Water and Drainage

with the Surveyor General Department, might, with little exagger-

ation, be used to support the union of the Forest Department,

the Harbour Department, and indeed several other departments,

under the Surveyor General.

In the present case, with Mr Cooper as Surveyor Gener

there can be no objection to the proposed arrangoment

indutu

I am however of opinion

it ia one in every way to be desired.

that government would be wise to provide for a change,

should

To this end I.

Mr Cooper's connection with Hong Kong cease.

recommend the following arrangement

(1)

That Cooper be appointed Surveyor General and.

Resident Engineer Water and Drainage Department.

(2)

That, whenever the two Departments be under one

head, all the subordinate members of either department,both technical and clerical be under the direction of the lead for the time being, and be available for any work that may be en-

trusted to them.

The Departments may then be united under one head

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