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Q-Everyone would think he had a right to a share of the work?
A-It would amount to the appointment of one firm as engineers to the Govern- ment, and everytime you give out something there would be dissatisfaction among the other architects, they feeling that they had a right to share in the work.
work.
Q-In the case of buildings, they would be asked to tender ?
A—Yes, but you would get tenders so low that they could not possibly do the
By the Chairman.-Who would be judge, supposing we had competitive de- signs? How would you arrange for that?
A-Either the Director of Public Works or somebody would have to do it. Either that or send it Home to a Consulting Engineer. You would have to get somebody to guide the Government in that matter.
Q-I gather from what you say that you are of opinion that Gwernment ought to do its own work?
A-I certainly think so. I have done Government work in various other parts of the world and I have never had any complaint.
Q-There is another point, Mr. CHADWICK, that has been brought up in evidence, and that is with regard to the Crown Agent system. It has been suggested that per- haps the Government could arrange terms better than those given by the Crown Agents. Have you had experience of the Crown Agents?
A—I have worked hand in hand with them now for twenty-six years, almost exclusively.
Q-And what is your opinion of the system?
-On the whole, I think their system is exceedingly good. The occasions on which I have had to complain are very rare. I have always found them provide mate- rials of excellent quality at very reasonable prices.
Q-It has been suggested that, instead of having the Crown Agent system for the Colonies, it would be better to deal directly with manufacturers and shippers?
A-You would require to have some one to do it for you. Every time you wanted something you could not go to the Director of Public Works. The Crown Agents have inspectors-trusted inspectors-and they inspect all the goods and, gene- rally speaking, they are very good. The system is satisfactory. I might explain what it is. The Crown Agents are appointed by the Secretary of State and their salarie are fixed. They are not paid out of the Imperial funds at all. These salaries are recovered by the percentages which are also fixed by the Secretary of State on the cost of every order and any balance there is above the salaries sanctioned is credited to an Imperial fund to provide for pensions. And I may say that, out of the percentages, they have to find their own staff.
By Mr. Shewan.-Have they special advisers too ?
A-They have advisers for every branch.
Q-Who pays for them?
A-I think that is charged to the Colony.
Q - Do you think they are fit and proper persons to be entrusted with floating a loan for this Colony? I suppose you know, Mr. CHADWICK, they did not give much satisfaction to the Colony years ago. Do you remember the question of exchange when they floated it in gold?