402
became manifest, that owing to the numerical weakness of the Engineering Staff, sufficient supervision could not be exercised over the overseers, who in the case of repairs and minor operations, had frequently to measure up the work they had charge of. I regret to add that this system has since continued to some extent, and must continue, until the staff is strengthened. The appointment of a Quantity Surveyor was suggested by one of the Royal Engineers examined by the Board of Enquiry. Although Quantity Surveyors are employed by the Royal Engineers, and to some extent in the house building trade, it is not the usual practice in the Civil Engineering profession to make use of a Quantity Surveyor for measuring work executed. So far as my experience goes
and after consulting Mr. Chadwick understand that his
experience agrees with mine, it is the practice of the profession to place works in charge of a Resident or
Executive Engineer, who is not only responsible for
their execution, but for measuring up the work. Much of the detail may be left to an Assistant Engineer, acting
under the direction of the Executive Engineer, but the
latter supervises, and is responsible for the accuracy
of the measurements. By necessity too much has in the
past been left to the foremen, overseers, or clerk of
works. One principal object I have had in view in sub-
mitting proposals for a stronger Engineering Staff, is
to prevent the perpetuation of a system which in my
opinion is radically defective. If then all the Engi-
neers now asked for are appointed we shall not,
I
think
16