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Extraordinary Works at Kowloon, the extension of MacDonnell and Austin Roads and the construction of Des Voeux Road; the latter is being completed this year. He also has the duties devolving upon him under the Building Ordinance, the examination of plans as they come in and the issue of notices in case of building operations being carried on in contravention of the provisions of the Ordinance. Members no doubt are aware that there are many matters under the Building Ordinance that require permits, etc. from the Director of Public Works. Those are referred to Mr. TOOKER who has them made out and signs them for the Director of Public Works.
Q.-What assistance has Mr. TOOKER in all that?
A.-He has two Assistant Engineers under him, Mr. HAZELAND and Mr. DRURY. Q.-Has he no principal overseer or foreman of work ?
A.--He has several overseers. Mr. MOORE, the senior, is mainly in charge of buildings in the City of Victoria assisted by Mr. MEERS, then Mr. WILDEY is employed on the roads in the City of Victoria and Mr. MUGFORD on buildings, Mr. DoUGHERTY on roads and telegraphs and minor works, Mr. COYLE on buildings, Mr. HAYWOOD on buildings, Mr. NIMO on roads, Mr. BURGES in supervising works carried out under the Building Ordinance. Under the overseers are the foremen. At the cemetery there is Mr. THOMPSON assisted by two grave diggers and two gardeners. The grave diggers and gardeners are hardly chargeable to establishment as they are departmental labourers. The above are what Mr. TOOKER has under him.
Q.--You think there is sufficient work for all of them?
A. Yes. In fact, I may state, I was asked to report on the minimum staff in 1892, putting on one side the question of Extraordinary Public Works. I then reported that I thought that the Annual Recurrent Works should be divided between Mr. ToOKER and Mr. CHATHAM, and with the staff I recommended, I thought they would be able to carry out what I call the ordinary Extraordinary Public Works, that is, buildings not involving a great deal of design and supervision. I may mention the Central Market, the proposed new Government Offices works and works of that kind I considered extra- ordinary Extraordinary Public Works and might require additional assistance when the time came. Now Mr. TOOKER has more to do than he really ought to, and Mr. CHATHAM, owing to the Extraordinary Public Works, has quite as much as he can do, letting alone any assistance in the Annual Recurrent Works.
Q.-Mr. CHATHAM has a large staff under him?
A. He has an Assistant Engineer, three overseers and three Chinese foremen. Q.-What are the new roads you are carrying out?
A. The new roads are the extension of MacDonnell and Austin roads. You require an overseer practically all the time to see that the work is properly done. That work one overseer looks after, and also sees to the maintenance of some other roads in Kowloon as far as he can.
Q.-The maintenance of all roads would not take Mr. TOOKER personally much time? A.-No great deal of his time is taken up by roads in the City of Victoria, but as I have said in regard to the buildings he has to see that all is correct and pass the accounts. I cannot accept accounts from overseers. They must be certified by a responsible officer. On that point I would call the attention of the Committee to a report of the Commission appointed by Sir F. FLEMING which I have requested should be referred to you. Mr. ToоKER spends a lot of time looking over buildings. Some of the buildings are very old and extensive repairs are from time to time required. I am certainly of opinion that it is well worth while to spend money on supervision and get good sound work rather than restrict the expenditure on supervision and spend a lot of money on repairs inefficiently carried out. As regards the buildings I should like to point out that the expenditure needed in 1878, when there were 49 buildings exclusive of Gaol and Police Stations, was $11,559.81. In 1883 with the 61 Government buildings it rose to $16,112. In 1888 with 68 buildings, $25,000. In 1891 with 102 buildings, $24,000. In 1892 with 106 buildings, $33,980. In 1893 with 107 buildings, $24,761, being $600 less with 107 buildings than it was with 68 buildings in 1888. I have got out a table shewing the cost of repairs to roads also under Mr. TOOKER. I have not any accurate information as to the extension of roads in the Colony between the above dates, but I have no doubt many members of the Committee here will know more of the extension than I do and they will have a better idea of what these figures show from their personal knowledge than from what I can represent to you. In 1878 the expenditure on the cost of repairs was $23,000. In 1883 it was $30,000. In 1888, $40,000. In 1891 $38,000. In 1892, $40,000. In 1893, $40,000. I would also call attention to the fact that previous to 1893 many of the overseers employed on works were not charged to the establishment as they are now, but direct to the cost of the work. I take those