CO129-299 - Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne - 1900 [5-6] — Page 200

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COPY

Enclosure 2.

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10254

Reaf iS JUN CO

Minute by the Director of Public Works.

197

Honourable Colonial Secretary.

I forward Mr.Crook's reply. I wish here to re-

peat what I said to you today in discussing this matter, that

I consider a strong effort

in HongKong.

should be made to retain Mr.Crook

He is thoroughly acquainted with the water and drainage works of the Colony, having been sent out specially for the Water and Drainage Department in 1891, to carry out the

· sewerage works projected by Mr.Chadwick and Mr.Cooper, Since the amalgamation of the water and drainage Department with the Public Works he has had entire charge of the water works.

Owing to changes in the Staff,retirements etc. there is no one now available to take his place in the Colony. He has also in hand the preparation of the plans and Estimates for the proposed new reservoirs in the Tytan Valley so urgent- ly needed, and the important works connected with increasing the system of distribution to meet demand of new building areas and the additional service to the Peak, while the new scheme

· for British Kowloon will probably come on next year.

The only officer on my establishment whom I

could have named as capable of taking Mr.Crook's place, was Mr. Gibbs who resigned the service in March.

I therefore beg strongly to urge that His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government may be pleased to represent the peculiar circumstances or the · case to the Secretary of State with a view to the retention of Mr. Crook in HongKong.

The

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