CO129-319 - Governor Sir Blake - 1903 [10-11] — Page 557

550

(

Mr. May pointed out that the scheme had

been tried before when the late Captain Hastings, Assistant

Harbour Master was appointed Superintendent of the Water Police.

He freely admitted that he himself had always found the Water

Police a difficult branch of the Force to manage, at the same

time he insisted strongly that separation of the Water Police

from the Police Force proper is an impossibility.

3.

To these arguments the Acting Harbour Master

raised objections which are set out in the enclosed minute by

him, and suggested the alternative of appointing an Officer

with nautical training as Superintendent of the Water Police

and the organisation of the small force of Harbour Watchmen

Flosure

tobar,

L

1903,

under the control of the Harbour Master.

4.

I enclose copy of a minute by the Colonial

Secretary in which he comments on Mr. Basil Taylor's objections

and suggestions, and points out that an increase in establish-

ment does not appear necessary.

Closure

Retober, 1903,

closure 3.

19th Rotober,

1907.

Lclosure 4.

5.

My own feeling is that it would be difficult

for the Assistant Harbour Master to satisfactorily fill two

appointments in two different Departments. I discussed the

whole question with the Acting Harbour Master and Colonial

Secretary, and the compromise detailed in the enclosed veno-

randum was arrived at.

Retsher, 1903.

Under this scheme the Harbour Master would

get all the assistance he requires in the regulation of the

Harbour while the Captain Superintendent of Police would have

the advantage of a certain supervision by and the advice of

the Assistant Harbour Master.

6.