Sessional_Paper_1902 — Page 352

256

( 124 )

1599

1600

1

2

3

4

Q-Have you any figures to show that?

V

A-Oh, yes; there is a statement to show that. There is an instance. Take tus correspondence branch alone, in 1894 the correspondence branch had 8 clerks, now has 9 clerks. The work in that branch has gone up in conmunications alone. Separate papers and references have gone up in ten years by 88, the letters despatched (Govern- ment Department) 566, and miscellaneous 547, and, on such a small staff, that is a very considerable increase.

By Mr. Master.-Is that 547 more letters?

A-547 more miscellaneous and 566 official letters to Government Departments, and 88 dealings with separate papers and references from the Colonial Secretary's Department, and there is only one additional clerk.

By Colonel Brown. That is only about five letters a day?

A—Yes, but the references may be anything. They might occupy a clerk half a day looking up papers to get answers.

By the Chairman.-Do you find the clerical staff has a full day's work?

A-Yes, I looked up the time-book and found that, according to it, taking the Accountant's office, it varies from 9.15 and 9.45 in the morning, and some are off at about 4.30, but I find that there are froin seven to ten days in each month two of the clerks are there any

time from seven to eight o'clock, and another two clerks are there on the same hours for from three to four days. In connection with the stores, one of the clerks is there also from about seven to eight o'clock. That is when returns are being. made up and accounts have also to be out. In the correspondence office, one clerk's average is 9.30 to 10 up till about 6, and frequently up till 8 o'clock. Taking the last

two months, there have been eight times up till 8 o'clock in his case. Another clerk is in the office from 8.30 till 5, another is from 9 to 5, another one from 9 to 6 or 7 o'clock and another one from 9.30 to 5.

By Mr. Shewan.-And do they have any interval off ?

A-They take half-an-hour for tiffin in the office.

By the Chairman.—Are you of opinion that the clerical staff is fully worked at present ?

A-Yes. Of course, we have two temporary men here just now, acting for Mr. JULYAN, who is transferred to the Colonial Secretary's office temporarily.

Q-Then with regard to the question of superintending stores, the officer in charge of telephones (Mr. FARRELL) informed us that there is a store here where certain telephonic instruments are kept and a general store, and he led the Commis- sion to understand, when he was first before it, that there is no proper check kept of the instruments in the store in this building. How does this matter stand?

A-There is only one store authorised. That is Wanchai store. There is another one temporarily authorised-a store opposite the Gas Works at East Point. It is au- thorised in order that we may store big pipes and that sort of thing. We had no room at Wanchai for them. This small store here is merely to facilitate the carrying out of orders in connection with the engineer in charge of telephones, and perhaps he might have a stock there of five or six hundred dollars occasionally.

6

Q--Not more?

A-I should not think so.

7

Q-Mr. FARRELL said he had something like £500 worth of goods there.

Mr. Shewan.-He corrected that statement afterwards.