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and these have now been reached. I must release him at the end of this month to go on a military course at Kettering for a change and a rest: otherwise there is more than a possibility of a breakdown.
Somehow or other I must in the mean time obtain additional immediate help. Messrs. Morris, Bentley, Brewer, Davies and others all destined primarily to pitch into the estimating and indenting work have been applied for some months ago: we had counted on their assistance well before the new year but these things take time and it does not appear that any of them will be available for some weeks yet.
I propose therefore that we fill one of the Treasury- approved temporary engineer posts (referred to in the first paragraph of this minute) by appointing Mr. H. E. Goldsmith retired A.D.P.W. of Hong Kong, as a temporary part-time assistant on a month to month basis at £25 per month. Mr. Goldsmith is not the ideal choice but he has the overwhelming advantage of being in London, free and willing to start tomorrow. He left Hong Kong in 1934: in view of his age (67) I have interviewed Mr. Goldsmith to assure myself that he is up to the work we propose for him. He is active and fit and I have no doubts on this score: his duty hours will be 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily except Saturdays when he will work from 9.30 a.m. to His experience of the Colony will be invaluable and his presence will lessen to tolerable proportions, pending the arrival of reinforcements, the load now bearing upon our exiguous technical staff. I have explained to Mr. Goldsmith that we may only require him for one or two months and he understands and accepts the position.
p.m.
The Treasury will have to be consulted. Since they have already agreed the post, and since the salary proposed
is
Not necessary.
J.J.P. 6/1
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