nclosure 3.
8.
677
conduct of the works". A comparison of Mr. Ives's letter of September 21st., paragraph 12 et sequentia, (copy enclosed) to the Consulting Engineers with the observations I shall make in paragraphs 10 and 11 of this Despatch upon the subjects with which they deal will aptly illustrate my meaning. The following is another instance in point:-
At the second reading of the Appropriation Bill the Unofficial Members expressed in general terms their apprehension that the Railway Construction was not proceeding as rapidly as it ought but no criticism of any technical details was offered. Their remarks were duly replied to on behalf of Government, and I have already forwarded to Your Lordship a report of the debate. I shortly afterwards received a letter from Mr. Ives informing me that he had sent a copy of the speech containing the criticism "privately" to the Consulting Engineers with what remarks I am ignorant. The duty of dealing with such matters appears to me to rest upon the Government which entrusts to the Chief Resident Engineer the control of the technical construction work only.
8.
I have pointed out that in my opinion the Chief Resident Engineer's letter referred to is calculated to mislead the Consulting Engineers as to the