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Q-What do you think is the reason of that ?
A—I think they take more trouble; they conform more to the customs of the place, and there is not, to use a common expression, so much red tape in connection with the work; they can converse more freely, and get and give information quicker which is a great deal to a Chinese contractor who would not carry on a week without getting into some error if some one did not keep him straight.
Q-Then, with regard to finish, what are your views?
A-I do not say any of us get better work done than the Government, but the efficiency of the work is a matter of supervision.
Q-Then do you think that at present the Government gets better work on an average than the private firm?
A-I think so, owing to the minute supervision they are able to give it. Given the same supervision, we could get the same quality of work.
Q-Then the result is that, on the average, the Government work is better for that
reason?
A-I think, owing to the overseer supervision being more minute, and continuous that probably the class of work is better. I do not say, however, that it is always necessary to have such a fine finish and such a high class of work. I have often seen work done which is absolutely unnecessary, particularly in stone work.
Q-Are you of opinion, then, that the same finish could be obtained at a cheaper rate if the work were done by private firms?
A-I think so.
Q-Then what alteration would be made by private firms in comparison with the present system of proceeding in order to obtain the greater efficiency?
A—I think they would have to get more supervision and procure more experienced and higher paid overseers.
take?
Q-Then that would make the work dearer than the ordinary work you under-
A—It is hard to say. I have got overseers good enough for some work at from $40 to $50 a month, and I have other overseers at $150 a month. The class of overseer depends on the class of work.
Q-It means more money?
A-Comparatively to the cost of the work, it is a very small item.
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By Colonel Brown.-Is it easy to get overseers?
A—No, you cannot get them easily.
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Q-How do you obtain them?
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A-Some we have had for a great number of years and have trained to efficiency. Several that we have trained are now in the Public Works Department. This is due to the higher wages paid by the Government. One man now in the Public Works Department was eleven years with us. Some we have got were trained professionally at home. One I am paying $150 a month and another $125. These men are both from home.
Q-What is your usual recruiting ground for overseers?
A--Beachcombers.
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