234
( 102 )
1338
9
1340
1
2
3
4
5
6
Q-And on an average on this side how long do you work ?
A-Now I am on this side, I work generally from nine o'clock in the morning till six.
By Mr. Shewan. When you began at daylight, was that in the summer time?
A—Yes, in the summer time.
-Did you work all summer in the open air ?
A-Yes.
Q-No time for tiffin?
A-I used to go out in the early morning and go home for tiffin, and then I would have an hour or so in the house.
Q-On Saturdays?
A-On Saturdays afternoon I came into Hongkong and back on Sunday.
By Mr. Thurburn.-Does your Department have plenty of assistants? Is it undermanned?
A-So far as I am concerned, up till just lately I had no assistance at all. I had to do the whole of the work myself surveying, measuring, and supervising. This last month or two I have had an assistant.
Q-And having that assistant, is that enough for all the work you have to do? A-Yes, it is quite enough for the Taipó Road.
By Colonel Brown.-Have you to supervise Chinese workmen ?
A-Yes.
Q-Do they put in bad work?
A-Yes.
Q-Are they always looking for an opportunity?
A-Yes, there is a certain class of work that I can't trust to the Chinese.
8
Q-Why are you not there?
A-Because I have an European overseer.
9
Q-And what is the office work here ?
1350
1
A--In the case of this training of nullahs there is a good deal of office work, making out of quantities, work at Kowloon Market, surveying outside and coming in- side and taking out quantities, making out the bills, and squaring out measurements.
Q- Could you not get a clerk to square out the measurements? A-As far as I see, none of them are able.
By the Chairman.-Have you any suggestion to make, that, in your opinion, might be of use to the Commission?
A-One suggestion I could make is that we be provided with better office accommo- dation. It is impossible to work at the drawing table unless you arrange the matter with the other Engineer in the office beforehand.
Q-Have you heard that a scheme has been sent home to the Secretary of State for increasing the accommodation of the Government offices by an addition at the end of the building?
A-I have seen plans of the proposed extension.
Page 330Page 331