CO129-299 - Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne - 1900 [5-6] — Page 198

I

2' 1

195

difficulty' that occurs to me is to send out an Assistant Engineer with special training in Water and Sewerage works : to make himself. acquainted with the special details of the

water and sewerage works in this Colony prior to Mr.Crook's

departure.

6. I do not wish to stand in the way of

the promotion of. a deserving..officer, but I feel it my duty

to state that rather than adopt the solution I have suggested, it would be preferable to retain the services of Mr. Crook who is beyond doubt the most capable of the Executive Engi- neers in the Public Works Department and an officer of remark- :able capacity and industry.

Should you come to the same conclusion

I would venture to suggest that in view of the extension

of the distribution works in the City and at the Peak, the

extension of the water works about to be initiated in the

Tytam Valley, and those projected at Kowloon (on which latter subject I have addressed you in my despatch No. 223 of the 18th instant) Mr.Crook might well be given the same salary

as the Senior Executive Engineer who is at present drawing : $4,800 per annum; in fact I am of opinion that it is only

- on the condition of this increase that Mr.Crook could with

any justice be desired to relinquish promotion which he is

willing to accept and of which he is in all respects deser- ving.

1995-3

or ecran

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most Obedient,

Humble Servant,

N.y. Gascoigne

Major-General,

Administering the Government.