Sessional_Paper_1927 — Page 126

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Mr. Wilton was therefore sent out to complete the surveys of the "Changte" and "Taiping", and to report direct to the Board of Trade on (a) and (b) and also to advise the Hong Kong Government on the steps that he considers necessary to be taken before he can recommend to the Board of Trade that recognition should be granted.

4. I am convinced that, if recognition by the Board of Trade can be obtained, it will give a very great impetus to the work of this port as repairs here can be carried out at a cheaper rate than either in Australia or in the United Kingdom, and it is obvious that, provided the present difficulty of non-recognition of Hong Kong Certificates is removed, owners will take every advantage of our cheaper repair facilities. It must also be taken into consideration that ships, other than those that may carry out their refits here, may take the opportunity while in Hong Kong to dock and obtain a "Bottom Certificate" here thus avoiding the risk of demurrage caused by no dock being available in London at the time that their docking is due.

5. With the observations contained in Mr. Wilton's letter I entirely concur, and would invite very careful attention to his remarks on the question of even further additions to the number of now-recommended staff in order to keep pace with the work of the Port as it developes.

6. The staff as approved in the 1927 Estimates consists of

1 Government Marine Surveyor £725 to £950 by £25

7 Assistant Surveyors (one not yet appointed) £460 to £700 by £20

The staff as recommended by Mr. Wilton would entail the following additions :

4 Assistant Surveyors

2 Nautical Surveyors

1 Draughtsman

1 European Clerk

2 Outdoor officers

and I would submit for consideration that the scales of pay may be fixed as follows:-

Government Marine Surveyor £750 to £950 by £25

Senior Engine Surveyor | £460 to £700 by £20. $600 charge pay while Senior Ship Surveyor { in the Colony and in charge.

Engine Surveyor

Ship Surveyor

£460 to £700 by £20

Engine Surveyor, Ship Surveyor £460 to £700 by£20

Draughtsman £360 to £400 by £10

Clerk Class III £200 to £350 by £10

Outdoor officers (Tape men) $216 to $252 by $12

which in the first year would entail an additional cost to Government over the 1927 Estimates of

4 Assistant Surveyors at £460

2 Nautical Surveyors at £460

2 Allowances for charge pay at $600

1 Clerk Class III at £200

1 Draughtsman at £360

2 Outdoor officers $216

$22,080

11,040

1,200

2,400

4,300

432

jat

at $300 1,800

$43,252

Conveyance allowances for 4 Assistant Surveyors and)

2 Nautical Surveyors

Total