Sessional_Paper_1923 — Page 122

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staff.

57. An equally unsatisfactory state of affairs is revealed by the Survey Office evidence of, and the comparative statement sent in by, Mr. Parker Rees, which shows that he has now only 10 surveyors working under him as against 14 in 1914, although since that year the work of his Office has practically quadrupled (see statement attached to Enclosure 8 (4)). Mr. Rees handed in a statement dated 25th June, 1923 (attached to Enclosure 8 (4)) showing what he considered to be the proper number and arrangement of his Staff. He states (pp. 17 and 18 of Enclosure 8 (4)) that he has now only 6 European Surveyors (of whom 2 are on leave); that he requires 5 more Surveyors to enable him to get things up to date; that he gets a dozen or two applications a day for a surveyor to set up the frontage line of a house which has been pulled down; that, at the time of giving his evidence, he had 100 lease-plans in Kowloon waiting to be dealt with for people who had complied with their building covenants; and that he and his staff were doing them as quickly as they could. He further states that he requires double the present number of 2 bailiffs, needing 2 in Hongkong and 2 in Kowloon, instead of one in each place (p. 19); that the survey work is double what it was in 1921 (p. 20); and that Chinese Surveyors take 3 years to train, and many of them have been transferred to other Offices in the Public Works Department (see document F attached to Enclosure 8 (4)).

58. We are of opinion that the delays which occur in dealing with applications for Crown land and with building-plans are to a large extent due to the inadequacy of the staffs of the above two Offices, and we think that it is false economy to understaff two such important Offices which are so intimately connected with the building development of the Colony.

59. We understand from a Minute sent by the Assistant Colonial Secretary to the Chairman that in regard to the Buildings Office-

(i) 2 Assistant Engineers are being asked for from England, (one of

them to replace the late Mr. White).

(ii) 3 extra Overseers are being recruited.

* While (2) seems sufficient, (2) does not appear to us to be, and we there- fore suggest the engagement of two additional Overseers (see para, 56 supra.) in addition to the said 3 extra Overseers. (In letter (9) in Enclosure 1 Mr. R. Baker shows the importance of proper supervision of work from the point of view of both the contractor and the employer).

* We also recommend the engagement of an additional Clerk of Works (ante, para. 56).

We have not been informed as to what additions, if any, are to be made to the Survey Office Staff, and we understand that the matter is now under the consideration of the Government.

Delays due to staff shortage.

Proposed additions to Building Office Staft.

Survey Office

Staff.

assistance suggested.

* 60. In the meantime, to meet the present urgent demand of the public Temporary for the speedier marking out of building sites and the quicker passing of plans, we suggest that the Government should, forthwith, endeavour to engage the services for a period of 12 months, of a temporary Engineering and Survey staff from the local Naval and Military Forces.

* 61. We also recommend that a person combining the qualifications of stenographer and typist be engaged for the Buildings Office as, in the opinion of Mr. White, the services of such a person would materially lighten the daily work of the Officer in charge of that Office, effecting an economy of 1 hours a day.

We also recommend that a similarly qualified person be engaged for work in the office of the Director of Public Works as the Chairman understood from the Hon. Mr. Jackman that such an engagement would save much time.

* 62. Mr. Parker Rees, in his evidence, stated that many of his surveyors have from time to time been transferred to the engineering branch of the Public Works Department, to the detriment of the efficient working of the

Steno-

hers Office and

graphers for Building

D.P.W.

Transfer of

Surveyors,