704
The Consulting Engineers over the work.
The upshot of the discussion therefore is as follows:-
I feel that it indicates a certain amount of lack of confidence on the part of the Chief Resident Engineer in himself and in the system which is to be greatly deplored. In the second place I would like the Hon. Director of Public Works to study carefully what I have written and to see if he can evolve out of the proposals made by Mr. King and Mr. Logan any practical and useful suggestion for a system of extended Piece-work which would meet their proposals while at the same time reserving to Government the essential control in the way I have indicated. Safeguards against delay, improper use of plant and other matters with which he is more familiar and a better judge than I am must be instituted. When this scheme (in brief outline only) is before me, I will carefully consider it and we can then discuss it. I am not without hope that some use may be made of these proposals with the object of expediting the work and even of promoting economy - though not in the precise form in which they now stand.
2nd. October, 1907.
(sd.) F. D. Lugard.