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(d.) The P.L.S. recommends the appointment of an European Clerk (a new post) in the Clerical Office, to take charge of that office and of the filing and indexing of records.

3. Lack of office accommodation and of facilities for filing records. With regard to the above causes of delay, we recommend :

(i.) That one additional European Survey Officer be now engaged for the L.S.O., as Mr. Douglas reports that he can carry on the work of the Ordnance Survey Office without another European Assistant, and as the European Clerk proposed in (iv) will lighten the duties of the European Surveyors.

(ii.) That at least six additional Chinese Surveyors be engaged.

(iii:) That at least two more Chinese draughtsmen be engaged.

(iv.) That an European Clerk, to take charge of the Clerical Office, be

engaged.

(v.) That the Building of the additional quarters for the staff of the P. W. D.

be commenced at the earliest possible date.

As regards the second point referred to the Committee, Mr. Pollock interviewed Mr. White about the middle of September and Messrs. Bird and Pollock had a joint interview with Mr. White on the 30th September.

We are satisfied that delay in the passing of building plans have been due to consi- derable recent increase of work in the B. O. O. and to the following causes :

1. Shortage in indoor staff of the B. O. ().

2. The absence of a Clerk of Works, a new post recommended by the O. C.

Such Clerk of Works would have power to deal with (inter alia) applica- tions for permits; levels; scavenging lanes; cemeteries and drainage propo- sals, and would thus relieve the O. C. and his two assistants in the B. O. 0. of some work; in addition to relieving the present Drainage Foreman to a certain extent.

3. Numerous appeals to the G. in C. under section 265 of Ordinance 1 of 1903.

4. Insufficient filling in, in some cases, by persons sending in plans, of the form

in Schedule K to Ordinance No. 1 of 1903.

5. The absence in Schedule K of any forms asking for-

(a.) Modifications, and

(b.) Exemptions.

6. Insufficient accommodation and means for filing Records in the B.0.0.

To obviate the above causes of delay, we recommend :-

(i.) (a.) That one extra European Assistant be engaged for the indoor staff

as soon as possible, to meet the increase of work.

(b.) That one extra draughtsman be engaged.

(c.) That a stenographer-typist be engaged, as the O. C. is clear that the engagement of such an assistant would be of much use to him.

(d.) See also (ii) infra.

(ii.) That a Clerk of Works be engaged, with duties as above defined. (iii.) That all plans asking for exemptions or modificatious, under those sections of Ordinance I of 1903, which are at present included in section 264 (b) and also in sections 135-8, and 151, 153, 154, 162, 175, 176, 180, 185, 188, and 216 of 1 of 1903 be dealt with, as follows (making of course, the necessary amendments in the above sections and also in sections 264 (b) and 265) :—

(a.) That the applicant state, clearly, on the above proposed new and enlarged form K, what applications or exemptions he requires and under what sections respectively.

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