219
(87)
1127
8
9
1130
1
2
3
4
Q-Would you say decidedly no ?
A-Decidedly no-not efficiently.
Q-And your overseers-are they reliable men?
A-My four present overseers are.
Q--Are you quite satisfied with them quite as far as to know that you can trust them ?
A-Yes; these four I can trust.
Q-And with regard to the dismissal of an overseer, suppose an overseer proved unsatisfactory, would you recommend his removal? Is that generally carried out?
A-He sometimes gets a chance.
Q-As the head of the Department, are you vested with authority, not actually to remove him, but to recommend his removal ?
A-I should recommend that he be dismissed, and the Director of Public Works would then recommend his dismissal upstairs, if it went as far as that.
By Mr. Shewan.--Why don't you follow the custom of the other Depart- ments of paying work by measurement instead of a lump sum ?
A-I cannot say.
Q-Who decides that?
A-I don't know.
By Mr. Master.-Are these contracts confined to a few contractors, or does any man have a chance?
A-Any man who can satisfy the Government that he can do the work.
5
Q--And put up the necessary security? There is no class ?
6
7
A-No; we are prepared to take any man if he is good enough.
By the Chairman.-Is there any suggestion, in addition to what you have already suggested to the Commission, that you can offer with regard to your work or the staff?
A--I certainly think two of the Assistant Engineers should be architects in the' office. There has been a predominance of engineers since Mr. WILLS' time. There is plenty of work for two architects in the office.
Q-How many architects are now in the Department ?
A-Two-Mr. FISHER and Mr. Mossop.
8
Q--Then at present the supply is sufficient?
9
1140
1
2
A-Mr. Mossop is leaving. Two architects will probably be enough.
By Mr. Thurburn.--Is Mr. Mossop on the staff of the Public Works or is
he a special man ?
The Chairman.-He is on a three years' agreement.
By Mr. Thurburn.-Will he be kept on?
The Chairman.-I understand he is leaving the Government service.
By Mr. Shewan. You are not an architect?
A-I am an engineer by profession.
Q--And there should be two architects?
A-Yes; there is a good deal of architectural work.
Page 315Page 316
220