204
916
7
( 72 )
Q-Why is it necessary for you to undertake that work?
A-I don't know, but it is passed on to me so that I may take out a summons if
necessary.
Q-You have to take out summonses?
A-Yes.
8
Q-That duty devolves upon you ?
9
920
1
2
3
4
5
Co
6
7
8
9
930
1
A-Yes, and it is purely a Police matter.
Q-With regard to the question of the inspection of buildings, are you aware there is going to be a change in the law?
A-No, Sir, I was not aware of it.
Q--Have you not heard of any proposal to place the responsibility upon the engineers and architects in connection with the supervising of buildings ?
A—I have heard that any architect who sends a plan in must supervise the work.
Q-If that change takes place, what staff do you think would be necessary ? A-Four, I think.
Q-You still think four would be necessary?
A-I don't think the architects in this country could be trusted any further than they are at home.
Q-At present do you consider the staff is absolutely inadequate to discharge the duties of the inspection of buildings?
A-Yes.
By Colonel Brown. You expected to come out to inspect one building ?
A—Yes, as Clerk of Works-that is to pass material, measure up, etc.
Q-You say four men would be sufficient to inspect 2,400 buildings ?
A-I think two men continually going round might keep all the new houses under their eye, with nothing else to do.
Q-600 buildings each?
A-Yes. It is not necessary to go through a building every day.
Q-But you would be on this one building every day?
A-Yes, as Clerk of Works. He has to keep measurements, and accounts of materials used, and time, and that sort of thing.
Q-You think one man could inspect 600 buildings?
A-Oh, yes. That is just to walk on and see what is doing and then walk off again. Q-With Chinese workmen ?
A-Oh, yes, they are expected to have a foreman. With two men continually going round the new buildings alone, they could be inspected. In fact, I could under- take to do it myself, I think, and that is one man's work.
Q-Could you check all bad work going on ?
A-I could stop it.
By Mr. Master. Since you have been here, has there been any inspection of buildings, or none ?
A--When I say I had no time to inspect, of course, I inspected some.
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