338
to, it is obvious that he estimated the cost of Earthwork
per cubic yard at considerably less than the Chief Resident
Engineer has found to be necessary.
With regard to the bridge work, Mr. Bruce had
apparently no idea that bridges of such a size as have been
asked for by the Public Works Department for the carrying out
of their scheme of developement, would be required, and
consequently in his estimate for bridges he allowed considerably
less than now has been provided in Mr. Eves' estimates.
Mr. Bruce also under estimated the cost of
administration, which will be a heavy item, chiefly owing to
the poor quality of the local labour which necessitates a very
large amount of European supervision.
In the case of the Beacon Hill Tunnel the two
estimates agree very closely.
Mr. Bruce in his estimate did not provide anything
for land, as he understood that all the land required would be
given free; but we find in Mr. Eves' estimate that a sum of
$129,700 has been provided, as land other than Government land has had to be purchased.
A large additional sum of money has already been
spent owing to the damage done by the very serious typhoon on
and
September 18th of last year, also in consequence of the late
severe epidemic of malaria and the measures necessary to cope
3.
Pas