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1700,01
Mr. Shelton Hooper. What are your qualifications? I think you hold a degree in Australia.
A. I am a Fellow of the Institute of Architects, New South Wales, and a Member of the Royal Sanitary Institute.
Q. How long have you been in practice?
A. Since '89-altogether 17 years.
Q. And you have a large experience in the erection of Chinese buildings and godowns?
A. Yes.
Q.-Now, first of all, I am going to ask you on a matter of concrete here. You know according to our Ordinance, that ground floors have to be concreted so as to form an impermeable floor?
A.--Yes.
Q.
floors?
What have you been in the habit of specifying as an impermeable floor, for ground
A.—One of lime, two of earth, and six of broken stone-for paving, broken to half an inch gauge.
The Chairman. Only one ninth of lime, then?
A. Yes.
Mr. Shelton Hooper. From your experience, having seen some of your own work some years
afterwards, how do you think that has stood the test of time?
A.—I think the lime does not set at all. You can't get good lime here, and the lime does not set.
Q-Are you speaking of shell lime?
A. Yes.
Q. Have you used any stone lime ?
A.-I have tried to get some at times, but it has been of inferior quality, and I have not used it. It is full of dirt and rubbish.
Q. Do you know where that came from?
A. Samshuipo-Shell lime.
Q.-But stone lime?
A. I think some from Macao.
Q. Is that what is known as Saikung lime ?
A.-I have got the Chinese name, but I have forgotten it.
Q.--Do you know if it is easily procurable—if it is of inferior quality?
A. I dont think so.
Contractors generally say they can't get it.