CO129-402 - Governor Sir May - 1913 [7-8] — Page 125

C

119

desirable that the men should reside near their work if not actually on the site of it. Both these officers should be readily accessible by the Chinese searchers and by Chinese informers. The duties of the third lie on both sides of the Harbour. In his case I cannot allege that he should reside on one side rather than on the

other. But it would be inconvenient that he should

reside at any considerable distance from Victoria or

Kowloon.

(b). The remaining three officers have the supervision of the

Chinese searchers. It has been found necessary to pro- -vide one of these officers with free quarters over the barracks of the Chinese searchers adjacent to the offices of the Sub-Department. As he is on the spot he is frequently called out for evergency duty at any hour of the night or day. Thus more than his fair share of work is cast upon him. One of the other two is always on night duty, which is taken on alternate nights with the officer resident in the Barracks. I am of opinion

that one of these two officers should reside at or near

the Barracks referred to and that the other should be given querters on the Kowloon side for the better super- -vision of the Chinese searchers there.

(c). If the Government Opium lionopoly which I have recommended

is established three more Revenue Officers will be

required. It is essential that one of these should reside at Kowloon, a second at or near the Boiling Factory and

the third at or near the Packing Department. (d). The temptations of corruption to which Revenue Officers

ere at present exposed are very considerable, and with the institution of a Government Opium Monopoly these will be much increased. I am of opinion that the rant of free quartors, especially if the condition I have referred to is attached to the privilege, will do much to render these officers less likely to fall victims to such temptations.