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-Hon. A. LISTER.-How many Contractors are there you can trust with this kind of work-who can be trusted with this setting out?
A.-About one half.
Q.-And naturally you prefer these men?
A. When we can get them.
Q.-You think it would not do to let it be understood it is the Overseer's work to lay the levels and so forth and that the Contractor is there simply to supply labour and do as the Overseer tells him?
A-No; I don't think so.
Hon. F. B. JOHNSON.-You mean you would not fix the responsibility? You have a definite piece of work to be done according to. a plan. Who is responsible for that? If there is a piece of work to be done by a Contractor according to plan and the Overseer has to lay it out, which of the two would be responsible?
The CHAIRMAN.—It would shift the responsibility. There is one question I should like to ask, you have pointed out certain matters in which you say the opportunity for bribery or corruption may possibly exist. Can you suggest any others?
WITNESS.-Which were those?
Q.-Well, for instance, that the pay Clerks have the opportunity of keeping back papers, and might make a squeeze?
A.--Yes.
Q.-And the man who measures up the work?
A. He would be more likely to be paid for doing work outside his duty.
Q.-Hon. F. B. JOHNSON.-Private work?
A. Yes.
Q.-The CHAIRMAN.-Well, is there any other part of the business in the Surveyor General's Department where you think opportunities may arise for squeezes?
A.-Nothing strikes me at present.
Q.—But you must have thought it over a good deal, and after all nothing occurs to you?
A.—No.
Q.-I will just ask you this: Have the materials that are to be used to be passed?
A.-In the contract do you mean?
Q.-Yes, the materials used by the Contractor in carrying out the works?
A. Certainly.