Page
September 1. 1897.]
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
Works. I have the honour to be, Sir, your | salary knowing that every year's experience most obedient, humble servant,
WILLIAM ROBINSON.
The Right Honourable Mr. J. Chamberlain, M.P., Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies, &c, &c., &c.
(Enclosure.)
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS TO GOVERNOR,
adds to the value of their services.
12. The annual reports and my report on the report of the Retrenchment Committee, I ven- ture to think, are conclusive as to the capability and loyalty of the present staff, and the amount of work done by comparatively a small staff and one numerically less than that recommended by Sir William Des Vinx, who, in recommending the staff he did, expressed a doubt if even that would be found sufficient in the immediato future; that it has been fonud sufficient is due to the capabilities and industry of the present staff, I have not the least hesitation in assert-
Public Works Office, Hongkong, 25th May, 1895. Sir-In reply to your circnlar No. 37, I have the honour to forward you herewith the usual statement for the preparation of the establishing. ment estimates for 1896.
As will be observed, it is practically the same as that of 1895, with one or two alterations, the authorities for which are given in the column headed "Remarks."
2.—I have, however, received applications for increase of salaries from some of the officers, viz., Messrs. Chatham. King, Tse Tsan Tai, Chan Kam To, and Cheong Yau; these are attached.
3. In submitting these applications, I re- quest to be allowed to bring the follow. ing facts to the notice of His Excellency the Governor and respectfully urge that the ques- tion of increasing the salaries of the engineer- „ing staff receive the favourable consideration of
His Excellency the Governor.
4.-On reference to Colonial Office Despatch No. 243/89, it will be seen that His Excellency Sir William Des Voeux, in his despatches 234 of the 27th July, 1889, and 318 of 5th October, 1889, at the time of the reorganisation of this department, recommended salaries even at the then rate of exchange considerably in excess of those now attached to the offices.
5. When the rates paid to engineers and architects in private practice in this colony, of which the Government have had a striking illustration in connection with the recent Taipingshan Arbitration, are considered, and that the Municipal Engineers of Singapore and Shanghai receive salaries much in advance of that paid to the Director of Public Works in the colony, I feel sure that His Excellency the Governor will not consider that the salaries proposed by Sir William Des Vœux were excessive.
6.—I would further point out that the re- muneration received by the senior engineering staff of this department does not seem, when compared with the nature of the work per- formed and the expenditure on Public Works including Colonial and Municipal, equal to that paid to officers in similar positions in other colonies,
7.-On reference to my annual reports, it will be seen that the average expenditure on public works is about $500,000 per annum, to this must be added the expenditure on the Praya Reclamation, as the Dir ctor of Public Works is the responsible engineer for this work (though more or less of a private nature), amounting to about $250,000 per annum, mak- ing a total of $750,000 anunally,
8. In addition to the whole of the public works, as there exists no municipality in this colony, the whole of the routine work usually performed by Municipal Engineers and Snr- veyors falls to this department.
9.-Further, it must be borne in mind that the growth of this colony frequently leads to this department being called upon to make reports and conduct survey work, the actual expenditure on which forms no criterion of the work involved, and more particularly as these reports are of such a miscellaneous nature as often to cause special consideration and a much more general knowledge of engineering than is possessed by most engineers at the present day when almost every branch is becoming a speciality.
10.-The importance, therefore, both as to the efficiency and the quantity of work done, of retaining the services of capable men who not only have thorough knowledge of the local con- ditions but are also well in touch with the work of the department in all its branch, is obvious.
11.-I may mention that I have already re- ceived inquiries as to one of the engineers for an appointment at a salary of £700 a year, and it can hardly be expected that men will be con- tent to stay here year after year at the same
13.-In forwarding Mr. Chatham's applica tion I therefore submit to the favourable con- sideration of His Excellency the Governor the salaries of Messrs. Chatham, Tooker. Crook, Drury, Gibbs, Hazeland and Xavier be in- creased, the two latter especially in the event of their not receiving exchange compensation, to which I am afraid Mr. Xavier has no claim under the regulations.
14-I also submit Mr. King's application for an allowance for his knowledge of Chinese to. favourable consideration. The result of and knowledge of Chinese his exertions is especially evident in the satisfactory collec- tion of squatters' fees during recent years, as recorded in my annual report for 1894,
15. The applications of the two Chinese Clerks, Mr. Tse Tsan Tai and Mr. Chan Kam To, and Mr. Cheong Yau, are also, I think, worthy of consideration. and I would submit, for the favourable consideration of His Ex. cellency the Governor, that their salaries be increased to $528, 5408, and 896 respectively;
I hare the honour to be, sir. your most obedient servant,
FRANCIS A. COOPER, Director of Public Works.
The Honourable The Colonial Secretary.
(Here follow the applications of the officers named.)
SECRETARY OF STATE TO GOVERNOR.
Downing Street,
3rd September, 1895. Sir, I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 22 of the 12th of July last, forwarding a recommendation from the Director of Public Works that the salaries of certain members of his Department should be increased.
I concur in the views on this matter which are expressed in your despatch, and regret my inability to comply with Mr. Cooper's re-com- mendation. I have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,
J. CHAMBERLAIN. Governor Sir W. Robinson, K.C.MG.,
&c., &c., No.
UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE TO
GOVERNOR.
THE
Downing Street,
21st July, 1896, Sir-With reference to the corres; ondence noted in the margia I have the honour to en- close for your consideration and report a copy of an application for increase of salary from Mr. Chatham, Executive Engineer in the Pub- lic Works Department, Hongkong, and I shall be glad to know whether or not yon cousider that his pay should be increased-I have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,
EDWARD WINGFIELD, (for the Secretary of State). Governor Sir W. Robinson, K.C M.G.,
&c., &c.,
&c...
(Enclosure)
MR. CHATHAM TO UNDER-SECRETARY OF
STATE.
25. Pitt Street, Edinburgh,
25th July, 1896. Sir,-Having completed six years' service as Executive Engineer in the Public Works De- partment, Hongkong, I take the opportunity of being here to lay before you my claim for au increase of salary, as Mr. Lucas, with whom I have spoken on the subject. informs me that such a course would be permissible, and to sup- port the same with the following statement.
189
2. My permanent salary remains the same as at the date of my appointment, namely, $300 per month.
3. During the period of six years I have had principal charge, under the direction of the Honourable F. A. Cooper, of works costing in the aggregate over $800,6:00, These works, of which I enclose a detailed statement, have been of a varied nature, and some of them of con- siderable magnitude and importance, including the Central Market. Mr. Matthews, of Messrs. Goode, Son & Matthews, when in Hongkong inspected that work, and I feel sure be will be 4.-I would particularly direct your attention pleased to testify to the excellence of it. to the fact that in no case has the cost of the work exceeded the amount of the vote, and in several instances there has been a considerable saving.
5. I would also point out that acting ap- pointments are not open to me as they are to officers in other departments, and the opportu nities of promotion are limited.
6. In conclusion, I would quote a statement
which Sir George O'Brien placed on record regarding me before he left the colony (C.S.O. 946/1894), having had cerasion to frequently consult me as Acting Director of Public Works during the absence of the Henonable F. A. Cooper:
I have found him not only willing to be of every assistance in his power, but prompt, painstaking, with a clear apprehen- sion of points at issne, and generally satisfac- tory. Of his professional qualifications and value, in a technical sense. I am of course in- competent to judge, but Mr. Cooper has a good opinion of them."
I have, etc..
(Sd.). W. CHATHAM. The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies.
GOVERNOR TO SECRETARY OF STATE,
Government House, Hongkong. 21stctober. 1896. Sir, In reply to your despatch No. 64 of the 31st July, I have the honour to state that after careful consideration of a
report by the Director of Public Works, of which I enclose a copy, I am of opinion that Mr. Chatham deserves an addition to his salary of, say, 3600 a year. I must add. however, that Mr. Tooker of the same department has claims equal to those of Mr. Chatham to an increase of pay, and I hope that you will arvordingly sanction an increment of 550 a month in the salaries of both these officers. I have honour to be, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,
WILLIAM ROBINSON. The Right Honourable, Mr. J. Chamberlain. M.P., Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies, &c. &c., &c.
.SECRETARY OF STATE TO GOVERNOR;
Downing Street. 25th November, 1896. ́ Sir. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 293 of the 21st nlt. I approve of your henasing the salaries of Mr. Chatham and Me. Took or by an increment at the rate of 8001 per aunum in either case from the 1st of January next.I have the hon- our to be, sir, your most obedient, Lamble ser- vant,
J. CHAMBERLAIN.
Governor. Sir W. Robinson, K.C.L.G. &c.,
&e., &c.
SECRETARY OF STATE TO GOVERNOR.
Downing Street, 30th October, 1896, Sir, With reference to your despatch No. 222 of the 21st nltimo, forwarding copies of letters from the Government Marine Surveyor and the Assistant Government Marine Surveyor praying for additions to their salaries, I have the honour to request that you will inform me what are your own views as to the merits of these applications.-I have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient, hunible servant,
J. CHAMBERLAIN. Governor Sir W. Robinson, K.C.M.G.,
&c. &c., &c.
SECRETARY OF STATE TO GOVERNOR.
Downing Street,
13th January, 1897, Sir, I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 273 of the 8th
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