CO129-419 - Individuals - 1914 — Page 121

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useful in squaring dimensions and assisting with

Quantities, etc., (1,e. doing spade work which was duly checked); by this system time and salaries of higher paid men are saved. This matter was submitted to Mr. Chatham, and it was with him for a period of 12 months.

In the meantime, the draughtsman proposed to resign, yet I paid him £10 per month out of my own Pocket in all some $120, in order to retain his services and to assist in completing the account for the work under review at the earliest date, having regard to the Contractor's claim for delay which had been lodged months previously against the Government, and also to assist with other works then in hand, Indeed, it is & matter of years even in an English office to train a new man.

At the date when this draughtsman resigned from the Service, I applied for a refund of money ex- pended by me; I know not the nature of Mr. Chatham's minutes to the Government of Hongkong, but I would say that men in the past made the British Empire as it exists to-day by accomplishing deeds without minutes.

I have cited a case where money has been advanced privately for work accomplished in Government interests. May I be permitted to point out one in- stance where Public Funds were paid to another officer who was doing practically nothing for three months after Mr. Chatham had been informed by me that the said officer

was available for other work.