CO129-328 - Governor Nathan - 1905 [1-6] — Page 260

CONFI

ENTIA D.

Hongkong.

nclosure 1

sir,

4748

13 MAY 05

Government House,

Hongkong, 27th. March, 1905.

255

I have the honour to inform you that it

has recently become necessary for me to take into considera-

tion the present condition of the clerical staff of the Harbour

Department.

2.

In the letter dated the 13th. instant, of

which a copy is enclosed, the Harbour Master reported that

dislocation of the work of the Department had been caused by

the resignation of various clerks within the past 12 months,

and that the seriousness of the situation was accentuated by

the absence of the First Clerk on vacation leave prior to

retirement. Captain Barnes-Lawrence attributed the unsatis-

factory condition prevailing to discontent among the Members

of the Departmental Staff with the rates of salaries of which

they are in receipt, and to the great increase of work due

to the growth of the Port and its trade rendering it impossible

for the senior clerks to finish their daily tasks within

office hours.

3.

In a subsequent communication on the sub-

ject of the appointment of a successor to 1st. Clerk, Captain

Barnes-Lawrence recommended that the Mercantile Marine Office,

which

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

ALFRED LYTTELTON, K.C., M.P..

20.,

&C. +

8cc...