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Q.-You have not a certain number of men from whom you select?
A.-No.
Q.-We have heard a good deal from the private architects about the rings formed by Chinese Contractors; that is, there may be six men tendering, but really they are all
one.
Do you think that applies to your department?
A. I don't think it does. I know half-a-dozen men who are entirely independent of one another and are never joined together in a scheme of that sort.
Q.-And as a rule are some of the Contractors the same who do the work for the Public Works Department?
A.-Yes.
Q-From your knowledge of Government work generally, not only in the Engineer Department, but in the Public Works Department, do you consider the cost is more or less than that of work done for private individuals? Have you any means of knowing?
A.-I have not. I could not answer that question satisfactorily. I believe our contracts are 25 per cent, off the schedule prices, and I believe work is done for private parties at from 27 to 30 per cent off. I believe we pay perhaps 5 per cent more for our work than private individuals do, but I believe we get our work better done.
Q.-For the increased price you pay you get better work?
A. Yes.
Mr. CARVALHO of the Treasury is examined,
Q.-Hon. A. LISTER.-We want to ask you about the system of paying Contractors, and first of all about the payment in copper. Will you tell the Commission, please, why the system of payment in copper was ever adopted?
A.-When the Colony used to get a large importation of copper.
Q.-Hon. F. B. JOHNSON.-For the purpose of getting it distributed?
A.--Yes.
Q.-Hon. A. LISTER.-For how many years has this been going on?
A. About 15 years or so, I think; over 10 years.
Q.-What is the highest percentage you ever paid in copper?
A.-I think 10 per cent.
Q.-And at one time I believe every Contractor without exception had to take 10 per cent?
A. Yes.