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Q.-But the Contractor is not liable to have a week's work pulled down?
A.—I cannot say exactly. It is hardly possible work should be so bad. It is a thing constantly happening that a little has to be pulled down. I go to the works and find the foreman has been there before me and ordered a lot to be pulled down. Well, supposing he overlooked it, and I overlooked it, and some one else came. I don't know;
there is no limit.
Q.-But practically no one would come after you?
A.---Practically, no.
Q.-I suppose the Contractors are paid in instalments?
A. If the work is a large one the system is this: A period, usually three months, is fixed, and there is a reserve fund of 25 per cent. kept back for that time and then he gets it. Up to that time we pay him by monthly instalments for two-thirds of the value of the work done after the 25 per cent has accumulated.·
Q. Have you ever heard anything said against the honesty and integrity of the Public Works Department?
A.—No, I have not. Of course I have heard they were criticised, and generally by people who don't know anything about it, but I have never heard anything against the honesty of the department. At the same time I have not been much in the way of hearing that. If there was anything very flagrant I probably should have heard of it.
The Commission adjourns.
ELEVENTH MEETING.
23rd January, 1884.
Present:-The Honourable E. L. O'MALLEY, Attorney General, (Chairman). A. LISTER, Treasurer.
""
F. B. JOHNSON.
Mr. R. K. LEIGH is examined,~
Q.--Hon. A. LISTER.--You are an Architect in private practice here, I believe?
A.--I am a Civil Engineer.
Q.-You were in the Public Works Department?
A. Yes, for three years.
— —
Q. What was your special duty there?
A.-I had all the land surveys in connection with sales of land, and the preparation of drawings for work. Causeway Bay Break-water was under my charge, the wall over at Kowloon, and several engineering works.