Sessional_Paper_1907 — Page 774

Recommendations.

NEW SCHEME, Continued.

358. We consider that the present system of dealing with this class of Government servant is far from satisfactory. In the event of irregula rities being proved against an officer, or of his proving himself not fitted for his post, His Ex- cellency the Governor has but limited powers for dealing with him, and has to obtain the permis- sion of the Secretary of State before dispensing with his services.

359. We think that all Inspectors and officers of lower grades should be engaged on monthly agreements, and thus it would be perfectly easy for His Excellency to promptly get rid of an unsatisfactory or unreliable servant, or if this is not considered desirable, that they should be engaged on similar terms to members of the Police Force.

361. We would suggest as a matter of detail that the Sanitary Inspectors should in future be called Inspectors of Nuisances, as was formerly the case, and as is still done at home, and that those attached to the Engineering Department should be designated Overseers.

362. With regard to the diaries which they are instructed to keep, it appears the Inspectors look upon this as their own personal property, and destroy them at the end of the year, although the books are provided by the Government.

These diaries should be kept for a certain period, say 3 years, and should be deposited in the Secertary's keeping at the close of the year.

363. A complete record should also be kept of the work done by the individual members of the staff, and monthly portage bills drawn up shewing the district in which each man has been employed.

The Commissioners have more than once asked the name of the Inspector working in a certain district on a certain date, in the immediate past, but no record of this has been forthcoming, and the required information was not therefore procurable.

364. We further find the use of "chops", that is, stamps with an officer's name, is in com- mon use in the Department; this is a most reprehensible custom, and should at once be discontinued, as there is nothing to shew by whom the "chop" has been affixed to a document.

374. If our proposal he adopted, we consider that the post of Secretary should be filled by a regular member of the cadet service, one who has had considerable experience in Government work, in organisation, and in the general conduct of business, as carried out in the Colonial service. The Secretary should have all the necessary authority to carry out the work of his important office without undue interference.

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