CO129-328 - Governor Nathan - 1905 [1-6] — Page 189

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Legislative Council and approved by the Finance Committee, at

its last meeting.

17.

You will observe that provision has been

made for a second Assistant Land Officer for the New Terri-

tories. To this post I have appointed from the 1st. of January,

1905, Mr. J. R. Wood, hitherto drawing pay as Passed Cadet,

on the same scale of salary as the other Assistant Land Of-

ficers. He will deal with the land work in New Kowloon and in

the large Island of Lantao and other Islands near Hongkong.

It is impossible for the Assistant Land Officer at Tai Po to

reach these Districts without much travelling and loss of time

and the Staff of the Land Office in Hongkong is not sufficient

to cope with this extra work. The rest of the Staff, with the

exception of one Interpreter, will be on the Temporary Esta-

blishment and it will probably be found possible to dispense

with the services of someof these Officers next year. It is

impossible to tecide at present whether the additional Assist-

ant Land Officer will be premanently required, but as far as

I can judge at present he will be so required and it will

prove an economy to thus strengthen the staff.

8.

as

I have increased the travelling allowance

of the Assistant Land Officer at Tai Po to 490 per annum

his former allowance was not sufficient to cover his expenses.

I have now to ask your approval of the

9.

arrangements which I have made.

I have the honour to be, Sir,

Your most obedient Humble servant,

M. Nathan

Governor, &c..