Sessional_Paper_1902 — Page 403

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Q-A Commission, consisting of the gentlemen you see here present, has been appointed by the Governor to inquire into the efficiency of the staff of the Public Works Department. The members of the Commission would like to know whether, from the knowledge you have gained since you have arrive here this time, you think the staff, generally speaking, is sufficient in view of the growth of the Colony since you were last here ?

A--I should say it is not. I speak chiefly from what I know of the Water an:1 Drainage department, and in others also from what I have gathered since I have been here. I have been more in contact with the Water and Drainage department. I have also consulted with the Director of Public Works, and I should certainly say that the Engineering staff is not sufficient, and they have been undermanned for many years past, and in many cases they have not been able to do what ought to have been done.

Q--So that, generally speaking, you consider that the Department is undermanned?

A-I think so.

By Mr. Shewan. Is there any particular branch of the Department that is

undermanned ?

Witness. I can hardly say. I certainly think the Water and Drainage is, and I believe that other Departments are too. Of course, I cannot speak with equal au- thority, as I have as yet had nothing to do with any other.

By the Chairman.--But you are strongly of that opinion with regard to the Water and Drainage?

A-I am strongly of that opinion, and it has been undermanned for a great many years past. A great many things should have been done that have not been done, be- cause they have not had men to do them. As an instance, there is not a decent survey

That was so when I was here twenty years ago, and it is so now.

of the town.

By Mr. Master.-Can you mention other things? You say there are many things.

A-I find a good many records are in arrear and have been for some years past, so far as I can see. This is generally speaking. The survey work is very nach behind time--work that ought to have been done twenty years ago. The only map of the island is one on a small scale by COLLINSON. It has never been kept up to date. The town map is an old compilation. It is not a modern survey, on scientific principles. There has never been a proper survey of this town. A man has measured a plot of land here and a plot of land there, but there has never been any scientific survey of Hongkong.

By the Chairman.-With regard to the question of water, as you are aware, we are on short commons at present-the supply being an intermittent one.

You are well acquainted with the water requirements of this Colony, having come out here specially to report on this matter in connection with your first visit?

A -It came within the scope of my first visit, and so well convinced of the necessity was I, that, before the publication of my Report, I wrote a special letter, sent through the Crown Agents, to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that one thing I was certain of was that more water was required and that the Taitam scheme was the right one to carry out.

After that, I had nothing more to say to the matter, as it passed into Sir ROBERT RAWLINSON'S hands.

9 Q--The Taitam scheme has been carried out, and still we are behind our require- ments. What would you recommend in order that we should get ahead of our require- ments ?

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