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[ii]
The Director of Public Works states:- "From this statement it will be seen that the "estimated expenditure for 1901 is almost exactly double the actual expenditure for "1894, whilst the Estimates for 1902 show an increase of $80,000 over those of 1901. Comparing the Estimates for 1902 with the actual expenditure for 1897, when the "staff numbered 10, the increase is seen to be nearly $400,000, whilst the staff has been 'increased by one solitary member, consisting at the present time of the Assistant "Director of Public Works, 3 Executive Engineers, 6 Assistant Engineers, and 1 "Draftsmair. It must be unnecessary for me to point out that the expenditure for this "year will fall far short of the estimated amount, notwithstanding the fact that all the drawings required in connection with the Law Courts and the Governor's Peak Resid- ence, and the requisition for materials for the same are being supplied by outside "architectural firms. Equally, it will be impossible for the Department to overtake the programme of works drawn up for 1902, unless it be materially strengthened without "delay. In this way works which are considered of great urgency are falling into arrear, "and, if the Department is not to be rendered capable of keeping pace with the greatly "increased demands upon it, the consequences to the Colony generally will be most "serious."
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7. The Commission is of opinion that this statement shows clearly that the staff is not sufficient to carry out the works entrusted to it.
But that opinion is also supported by the evidence of Mr. CHATHAM and the other members of his staff who were examined as witnesses, and also by the evidence of the Engineers and Architects in private practice.
Mr. CHATHAM and the other members of his staff in their evidence show, beyond a doubt, that work is neglected owing to the Department being undermanned, and the En- gineers and Architects complain of unnecessary delays to which they have been subjected and which are acknowledged by Mr. CHATHAM as due to insufficiency of staff and want of time to overtake the increasing amount of work.
Mr. CHADWICK also is of opinion that the staff is not sufficient, and requires to be increased.
RECOMMENDATIONS AS TO STAFF.
8. The Commission, being satisfied not only of the advisability but of the absolute necessity in the interests of the Colony that the staff should be increased in order to overtake the work entrusted to it, begs to make the following recommendations as to in- crease and change in the personnel of the Department.
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS.
9. It is clear from the evidence taken that the Director of Public Works is at present so overwhelmed with his duties that he is tied to his desk and has no time for the work of supervision, which, in the opinion of the Commission, is of supreme importance if the Department is to be carried on efficiently. Indeed, the Commission is unable to under- stand how the work of the Department can be performed thoroughly and effectively in the absence of such supervision."
The Commission, therefore, strongly recommends that steps be taken at once to re- lieve the Head of the Department of all routine work and other duties which can be dis- charged by the Assistant Director of Public Works, Mr. CHATHAM is of opinion that such a course will enable him to devote time to the exercise of general supervision, which, in the opinion of the Commission, is essential.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS.
10. Owing to the promotion of Mr. CHATHAM to be Director of Public Works, this post is at present vacant. The Commission recommends that the vacancy be filled without delay and that the officer selected for the post should be one of experience and activity and possessed of powers of organisation.