128
[iv]
Evidence.
16-17
40-16
77-78
128-130
139
The increase in the staff proposed by Mr. CHATHAM is two Inspectors or Overseers. The Commission is not certain whether the increase proposed will be sufficient, but it might be given a trial, and if it proves insufficient, the staff should be still further strengthened.
1
WATER AND Drainage.
15. Mr. CHADWICK is of opinion that Water and Drainage should be reconstituted Pages:- as a separate Department independent of the Public Works Department, whilst Mr. CHATHAM Considers that such a separation is undesirable, but recommends that, whilst Water and Drainage remains a sub-department of the Public Works Departinent, it should be strengthened by appointing one Executive Engineer to be in charge of the Water only and another Executive Engineer to be in charge of the Drainage, instead of having only one Executive Engineer in charge of both Water and Drainage as at present, and by the appointment of a more responsible Clerk to take charge of the Water accounts.
142-145 175-181
184-185
Whilst fully sensible of the value of the opinion of an expert of such experience as Mr. CHADWICK, the Commission is of opinion that, with a view to concentration and to the saving of increasd expense, which almost invariably results from the creation of separate departments, it would be well to follow the advice of Mr. CHATHAM and to strengthen the staff engaged on Water and Drainage in the manner proposed by him, but not to reconstitute it as a separate department.
As to the general question of the water-supply, though it has not been directly referred to it for inquiry and report, the Commission ventures to invite attention to the evidence given regarding it by the various witnesses and to the statements printed in Appendix No. 4, No. 5, and No. 6.
The evidence and these statements show that provision for increased water-supply has not been made so rapidly as the necessity of the case demanded.
The Commission regards the question of water-supply as one of immediate and pressing urgency, and desires to record its.opinion that steps should be taken forthwith to put in hand such schemes as can be most rapidly carried out with a view to placing the Colony well ahead of its requirements instead of allowing it to lag behind in that respect.
The question is not only one of present urgency but one which concerns the future. The importance of not only providing against actual requirements but also possible future wants cannot be too strongly insisted on, as the prosperity of the Colony and the welfare of its inhabitants now and in the future are intimately connected with an ade- quate supply of water.
LIGHTING.
16. The Commission is of opinion that the lighting of the Queen's Road, between Fletcher Street and Arsenal Street, should be improved.
LAND WORK.
Evidence.
Pages: 131-134 158-159
17. The evidence given to the Commission shows that the work of the Department as regards land has not been carried out in a manner satisfactory to the public. There have Been numerous complaints of delay, especially recently, and Mr. CHATHAM confesses that such complaints are justified. He, however, points out that the staff dealing with land has not been properly constituted, rendering it impossible to overtake the work. For some considerable period-about two years—the work had been conducted by the Officer who had hitherto filled the post of Land Bailiff. He is of opinion, however, that with the staff as now constituted, consisting of a Land Surveyor, an Assistant Surveyor and a Land Bailiff, there ought to be no difficulty in carrying on the work in a satisfactory
manner.