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By Mr. Master.-How would you put on what Mr. TOOKER calls blinding- would you sprinkle a little more over the top?
A-I think about two inches of stone would require a similar quantity of sand and gravel.
By the Chairman.-Where would you put the Canton mud?
A-With the sand, as part of the binding material. I think the main reason why the roads are not bound now is that the binding has no chance of getting into the lower part.
Q-Do you think the blue stone should make good roads here ?
A-It is too hard.
Q-Do you think it is crushed small enough? Do you think these stones would wear if crushed small enough?
A-I think so, but they keep their sharp corners and keep their shape, whereas granite stones wear away to a certain extent and get fitted into each other and get better bound. I notice, in Queen's Road West, that the stones are all sticking out of the surface of the road and ricksbas are not heavy enough for them.
By the Chairman.-It has been suggested that the Government, instead of undertaking its own work, should let it out to private firms. I should like to know your opinion with regard to that suggestion especially as regards its cheapness and efficiency.
A-I should say a great many of the works might be let out to private firms.
Q-And, if they were, would they be done more cheaply ?
A-I think so. Take, for instance, the Jubilee Road, Mr. ORMSBY said the Jubilee Road could not be made in less than two-and-a-half years, and that it could not be made for less than $200,000, that is, the first section. We found no difficulty in mak- ing a contract for fifteen months for less than half what he said it would cost. I believe the road is now approaching completion, and the contract time is July. There have been one or two parts that have been delayed owing to having to go through private property. Mr. ORMSBY told me privately that he had gone into the question of cost very carefully.
Q-And the road has been constructed in the manner he intended when he formed his estimate?
A-The specifications and plans were all submitted to him.
Q-And it was on these that he made his estimate ?
A-Well, on similar ones.
Q-How do you compare Government work with private work? Generally speak- ing, do
you think that Government work is better?
A-No, I don't. In some circumstances, I don't see how there could be any distinc- tion. In the case of public works an estimate is made of the work, and it is carried out. Tenders are got in under certain specifications, but, in the case of private property, if an owner says "Well, I don't want this class of work. I can't afford to pay $20,000 for a house; I want a house of the same size costing $15,000,"he gets it. There are cases where an owner wants good work put in-the best work-and he gets the best work.
Q-Then you think that the Government wants the best work, and the private owner is not so desirous of the best work?
A-Yes, I think so in these cases only.
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