Be sure to Dispatch How 893 of the Black.: May, 1908.
C. O 25149
226
Hon. Colonial Secretary.
X.
Res 23 JUN 1908
Noted. With regard to paragraph 5 of the Despatch, a new Building Ordinance has been drafted. It contains "inter alia":
(1) Only Architects authorised by His Excellency the Governor in Council can perform the duties required to be performed by an Architect.
(2) No new building may be occupied until an authorized Architect has reported in writing that such building complies in all respects with the provisions of the Ordinance.
(3) No alterations, &c., can be made in any existing building unless an authorized Architect certifies in writing that the building is and will be structurally capable of sustaining such alterations.
Hitherto it has been a common practice for Chinese owners of property to obtain plans from an Architect and then put the work in the hands of a Contractor, dispensing altogether with the Architect's further services. The above provisions (2) & (3) are designed to prevent this in future.
Both the Architects and Contractors, who practice here, are, in some cases, utterly unqualified to carry out their duties. Provision (1) is intended to debar such individuals from practising in the Colony, in the case of Architects.
The addition of 12 Inspectors to the Staff at present engaged in carrying out the work of the B. O. is contemplated (vide para. 14 of the Public Works Commission's Report). It is considered that, in view of the provisions stated above, such an increase