CO129-319 - Governor Sir Blake - 1903 [10-11] — Page 561

7. The Harbour Master is made responsible for the "procer discipline of the Harbour, and the prevention of disorder or confusion, and it is 554 Impossible for him to lay down hard and fast rules to govern all imaginable

cases. Each case must be treated separately, and according to circumstances

and it is obviously on this account that such powers have been conferred

upon him. The existing staff of the Harbour Department do their best to

enable him to exercise his responsibility, but their time is fully taken up

with their own special duties. The Water Police declare themselves unable t

act because the Ordinance does not apoly, and, as a matter of fact, it does

not, so far as they are concerned.

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8. What is required is a sanll force, say of ten men, under the Harbour

Master, to report directly and at once to him all that goes on in the

Barbour, and to receive and carry out his orders. I would call them

"Harbour Watchmen" and employ only seamen, who would be more likely to

recognize a breach of good order or discioline than lanismen. (At present

many minor breaches which take place are never observed at all, because the

are not appreciated as such when seen). The two Boarding Officers should be

made."Inspectors", and they and the ten men should receive the authority of

Constables. It would in no way alter the duties of these Boarding Officers,

but simoly give them assistance in performing a part of their duty which

they are at present unable to carry out satisfactorily.

9. The Actual personel of the force is inmaterial at the oresent early

stage of the idea, but I would suggest that something like the following

would be suitable. In addition to the two Boarding Officers, as Inspectors, (or any other title which may be decided upon), the two Junk Inspectors

aight receive the rating of Sub Inspector, (these are the Officers of the

Department who carry out the duties, to the best of their abilities, at

present). Of the additional ten men to be engaged, two should be Europeans

with the rating of Sergeant, and eight Chinese boatmen, who should also be

sworn in as Constables. I would also have the Master of the "Stanley" an Inspector, and her crew Constables, to deal with the Waters of the Colony

outside the Harbour Linits. It will be seen, therefore, that the extra expense involved will be but small, being only the salaries of two European sergeants and eight Chinese Constables. One extra boat may be

necessary.