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124/8.-ALBERT DENISON, sworn:
The Chairman.-What is your full name, Mr. Denison ?
A. Albert Denison.
Q. And what is your profession?
A.-Civil Engineer.
Q. And you are a partner in the firm of Denison, Ram and Gibbs, are you not?
A. Yes.
Mr. Shelton Hooper.--What are your qualifications?
A.-- Member of the Institute of Civil Engineers.
Q. How long have you been in practice in Hongkong on your own account?
A.-18 years on my own account
Q.-You have had considerable experience since the present Public Health and Buildings Ordinance was passed, and also the previous ones?
A. Yes.
Q.-Do you think the amalgamation of the Building Authority and the Sanitary Board would be conducive to the better administration of the Ordinance?
A. Yes, I think it would.
Q. Would buildings be examined and passed quicker than they are at present?
A.-I should think they would.
Q. Can you tell us anything about the average time here between sending in plans for approval, and the time you get the permit to build?
A.-I cannot very well at present. The last few years I have not had much to do with the working of the Ordinance, my work has been in other directions. But I looked up some of our books, and it seemed to me that the time ranged between a week and a month.
Q.-You were in practice in England before you came here ?
A. Yes.
Q. What was about the time there, after it was sent in to the Local Authority for approval ?
A. It was a fixed time, a week. I might explain-
Q. I will go on to that later. On the assumption that the Building Authority was amalgamated with the Sanitary Board, do you think that the appointment of an Executive Engineer and a Medical Officer of Health as advisers to the new Board, would be an im- provement in the general working of the Ordinance ?
A. Yes, I think that would be necessary. That is one of the reasons why the amalgamation should be better than the system.
Q.-Before you came to Hongkong, in what town or part of England were you?