1 SALT REVENUE DEPARTMENT FOR THE OFFICIAL YEAR 1897-98,
2 One Assistant Superintendent died during the year. The
3 conduct of the establishment was satisfactory.
4 74, Iwas in charge of the Department during the whole
5 of the year under review,
6 ADMINISTRATION
7 DURING THE YEAR;
8 Officer in charge of the
9 Department,
10 75. Mur, Ashton officiated during the year as Deputy Comts Notice of oficers,
11 missioner during Mr. Whitten’s absence on furlough ; and he
12 is still in charge of tlie office.
13 It is impossible to over-estimate the value of the assistance
14 given to me by Mr. Ashton during the year. His energy,
15 ability, and intimate knowledge of the working of the Depart-
16 ment make him eminently suited for the important post of
17 Deputy Commissioner. Mr. Whitten has applied fer permission
18 to retire from the service, and Jam recommending to the
19 Goverment of India that Mr. Ashton should be confirmed in the
20 office for which he is so well fitted.
21 Mr. Lyon wag on leave for part of the year. During the
22 rest of the year he managed the Sambhar Division, the most
23 important in the Department, with his usual ability and vigour
24 and with most successful results.
25 Mr. Buckley has shown great tact and energy in the charge
26 of Pachbadra, which always presents peculiar difficulties. He
27 -deserves much credit for the success with which he has managed
28 this troublesome and unpopular division during many years.
29 Mr. Bolster, as usual, has worked admirably in the impor-
30 tant Panjib Mines Division.
31 The results of the year have been most successful,
32 Mr. Bryan acted as Assistant Commissioner of tlie Upper
33 Division, Internal Branch, in the vaeancy caused by Mr.
34 Whitten’s absence.
35 His work was in every way excellent, and it affords re
36 great pleasure to be able to recommend to the Government of
37 India that he should be confirmed in the appointment.
38 Among Superintendents, I would specially mention Mr.
39 Money. His work is of great importance, as he has for a
40 long time been in charge of the important Mayo Mine at
41 Khewra.
42 He managed this during the year with intelligence and
43 success ; and I have had much pleasure in being able to reward
44 his special services by a special step in promotion. :
45 Mr. Holford deserves credit for his zealous and efficient
46 superintendence of the salt manufacture at Sambhar which
47 involves arduous and trying work.
48 I recommended that he should be appointed to act as Assis<
49 tant Commissioner during Mr. Lyon’s absence on furlough and
50 his management of the Division was very successful.
51 Mir Nasir Ali, Khan Bahadur, was as efficient as usual in
52 his charge of the Sultanpur Salt Sources, where his high
53 character and local influence make him specially useful.
54 Mr. Cash, Assistant Superintendent, has shown zeal and
55 intelligence in the Dera Gh4zi Khan circle, and has done good
56 service in the suppression of illicit salt manufacture.
57 Messrs. McGowan and Carter have had a most trying year
58 in Kohat on account of the frontier disturbances, and the
59 ( 73 )