117
9.
Further, it must be borne in mind that the growth of this
Colony frequently leads to this Department being called upon to
make reports and conduct survey work, the actual expenditure on
which forms no criterion of the work involved, and more particu-
larly as these reports are of such a miscellaneous nature as often
to cause special consideration and a much more general know-
ledge of engineering than is possessed by most engineers at the present
day when almost every branch is becoming a speciality.
10
The importance, therefore, both as to the efficiency and the
quantity of work done, of retaining the services of capable men who
not only have a thorough knowledge of the local conditions but are
also well in touch with the work of the department in all its branches,,
is obvious.
11.
I may mention that I have already received enquiries as
to
700 a year,
one of the engineers for an appointment at a salary of
and it can hardly be expected that men will be content to stay here
year after year at the same salary knowing that every year's experience
adds to the value of their services.
12.
The annual reports and my report on the report of the Retrench
ment Committee, I venture to think, are conclusive as to the capabili-
ty and loyalty of the present staff and the amount of work done by com-
paratively a small staff and one numerically less than that recommen-
ded by Sir William Des Voeux, who in recommending the staff he did,
expressed a doubt if even that would be found sufficient in the in-
mediate future; that it has been found sufficient is due to the ca- pabilities
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