figures as far as I can from the accounts of the department. In 1878, I find $5,503 was charged to votes for works. In 1883, $5,477. In 1884, $8,265. In 1891, $12,960. In 1892, $15,212. In 1893 nil.
Q.-Charge to what?
A.--To different votes for work. In drawing up the Estimates for 1893 every officer of work, drawing pay monthly on a certificate of the Director of Public Works, was placed down in the Estimates, votes for works being simply charged with actual cost of construction, cost of supervision being entirely excluded. Of course, this is an important matter in considering the Estimates of 1878 and comparing them with 1893, for you must bear in mind the very large addition which under the present system would be added to the establishment in that and other years. To give an instance. The total amount of salaries paid in 1892 was $89,000 as against $72,000 paid in 1893 shewing a difference of $17,000.
Q.--After Mr. TоOKER whom have you got?
A.-Mr. CROOK who is the next Executive Engineer in charge of the Drainage works and the Waterworks, construction and maintenance in both cases. He is also Sanitary Surveyor to the Sanitary Board. He has an assistant draftsman, Mr. BAMSEY, who, I may say, was a pupil in the Water and Drainage Department, served his time as an Engineer and has been appointed as draftsman. Besides actually doing draftsman's work he is also available for making measurements and completing details of plans. Mr. CROOK has also as overseers Mr. CARROL, Mr. ROSE and Mr. MOLLISON. The last named is the principal overseer of waterworks in the City of Victoria. Mr. Rose has also charge of waterworks. Mr. SOLOMON is in charge of the Peak and Mr. CARROL has the supervision of the construction of the sewerage in the City of Victoria. Mr. MILLER has the inspection of services. Mr. Lewis is caretaker at Tytam. Mr. SAMUEL is caretaker at Pokfulam. Mr. BowL SING is Overseer at Tytam filter beds and CHU AYIM holds a similar position at the Pokfulam filter beds.
Q.--What is Mr. MINHINNET?
A.-His services were exchanged for those of Mr. NICHOLS of the Praya Reclamation. Mr. MINHINNETT having had special experience in connection with sea work, I recom- mended that he should be put on the Praya Reclamation and in return Mr. NICHOLS, who was originally appointed for that work, took his place in the Public Works Depart- Mr. NICHOLS, as I have stated, is engaged under Mr. CHATHAM at the Sheep and Pig Depôt at Kennedytown.
ment.
Q.--I suppose the sewerage work is not finished yet?
A.-No.
Q-And the waterworks, are they finished?
A.-Most of the main laying is finished. Some additions have to be made from time to time, but there is the construction of house services on a request from house owners, and there is the connection with the mains and the maintenance of the works generally. The sewerage works are completed west of Garden Road and a considerable portion of the Eastern district is completed as far as gravitation work is concerned. It is proposed to intercept the gravitation sewers and ultimately to discharge the sewage of the City east of Garden Road near North Point. Plans and details of this work have to be prepared.
Q.-Then you have Mr. MALSCH?
A.-Mr. MALSCH is Superintendent of Crown Lands. He has an Assistant Land Surveyor, Mr. PROSSER, a Land Bailiff, Mr. KING, clerk WONG LAI SING, tracer CHEONG Yow. I may mention that in my report for 1892 I suggested that on a vacancy occurring in this office it would be preferable to appoint a Land Survey Officer with that title and equalize to some extent the salaries of those two offices. Mr. MALSCH's duties are in connection with the issue of Crown Leases for Crown Lands and the occupation of Crown Lands generally. There are many applications from time to time from the Land Office, old leases requiring revision, and on a certificate of the Director of Public Works new leases are issued. Various particulars and re-adjustment of boundaries are required. Mr. MALSCH is also in charge of the work done by the Land Surveyor whose duties are to do the outdoor work, see that the boundaries' stones are fixed, and supply Mr. MALSCH with any information required for reporting on any matter connected with Crown Land that is referred to him. The Land Bailiff, Mr. KING, is in charge of squatters and looks after the occupation of Crown Lands other than those under Crown Leases, to see that there is no trespass. He also issues squatters' licences every year, of which there are a considerable number. WONG LAI SING, the clerk, prepares the squatters' licences. Details of leases of 1891, 1892, 1893 will be found in my annual reports for those years. The tracer, CHEONG Yow, makes tracings of various plans for the Land Office and for record in the Public Works Department.
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