CO129-526-3 Harbour Department staff- preliminary training of marine surveyors 16-4-1930 - 5-1-1931 — Page 20

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Enclosure No. 1.

Honourable Harbour Master,

Sir,

With reference to your letter of the 22nd of August, I note that the Secretary of State for the Colonies cannot agree that in the case of certain Surveyors, including myself, time for pension, &c., should count from date of commencement of training with the Board of Trade.

Prior to my appointment I had an interview with

a representative of the Colonial Office, in the presence of Mr. Laslett, Chief Engineer Surveyor to the Board of Trade, and Captain Pearson of the Crown Agents, and was then assured by him that time for pension, &c., would count from the date I commenced training. I beg to request, therefore, that my case be again brought to the notice of the Secretary of State on these grounds as there appears to be no adequate reason why the verbal assurance then given me should now be

reversed.

N.B.

I am, Sir, &c.,

(Sd.) S. Ashworth,

Assistant Government Marine Surveyor,

4th September, 1930.

If the minutes of the interview referred to above are still in existence, it will be found that Captain Pearson stated that officers over 35 years of age were not eligible for pension. Mr. Laslett then asked the question as to when time commenced, and the Colonial Office representative stated that time would commence from date my course of training began. Under these conditions, and as I was then not 36 years of age, I replied that I would accept the position and leave the question of pension to the Government.

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