COPY.
Hon; Col. Sec.,
Enclosure I.
188
HEPORT ON LAHBOUR DEPARTMENT.
Under the conditions at present prevailing in
this Colony due to the Strike and Boycott and the consequent falling off in revenue it is with the greatest reluctance that I forward the following report and request for additional staff for this Department but I feel that it is my duty as Head of the Department to make Government thoroughly acquainted with the present state of inefficiency and with the steps that I consider necessary to raise the efficiency to that which might naturally be expected from the Department that is res- ponsible for the administration of the largest Port in the world.
On taking over the Harbour Department on my arrival from Cejlon in July 1924 I settled down to making my self acquainted with local conditions and to study the method of administration in force before introducing any innovations. It was not long however before I was forced to the conclusion that the Department was under-staffed especially in regard to the Senior Staff and on 6.11.24. I addressed a minute to you on the subject of the appointment of an additional Assistant Har- bour Master. Since then I have had over a year's further experience which has more than confirmed my previously formed opinion contained in my minute of 6.11.24 and with reference to Para. 4 of that minute I would point out that there are at present no less than 29 British ships alone fitted under the Prevention of Piracy Ordinance whose Schemes of Defence are still outstanding and I do not see any prospect, with only the present staff available, of the necessary work being completed in the immediate future.
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