CO129-359 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [12] — Page 223

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record of good service he has in our opinion failed in some

important matters to justify the confidence which the Colonial

Government placed in him. We have very esnafully nonsidered

his position as also the amount of work which remains to he

completed and the views expressed by His Excellency in his

confidential dispatch to the Secretary of State for the

Colonies dated February 18th. and have raluntantly come to

the conclusion that Kr. Eves should be asked to region. We

fully appreciate the efficiency of his office arrangements

and recognize (as the Governor has done) that much of the

work which he has executed is satisfactory while we further

see that so near the completion of a work it is naturally

undesirable to introduce a new Chief Engineer.

Nevertheless

in view of the work of reparation on the brides which must

now be undertaken and the lack of confidence in the skill and

judgment of Mr. Evas which undoubtedly oxista, and which wa

cannot but #gare, we have cone with regret to the conclusion

that the appointment of a now Chief Resident Engineer, if not

absolutely n40938ary, has become advisable and the most satis-

faatory course for adoption by the Colony.

With refaranga to this subject we also understand

that His Excellency is anxious to secure the assistance of an

expert in order to advise the Hong Kong Government on questions of

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