HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
195
Government by private architects in the past and these are compared with similar buildings by the Architectural Office, they are divided under two heads-Police Stations and Government Quarters and show the following results:-
Built by Architec- tural Office.
Built by Private Architects.
Police Stations (average cost per
foot cube)
41 cents
53 cents
Government
quarters
(average
cost per foot cube)
362 cents
48 cents
"From the foregoing it will be seen that executive charges by the Architectural Office are a fraction only of those by private architects and that the actual cost of building has been substantially less.
"Other aspects of the case have also to be considered- convenience to Government, stores from home, presentation of reports, minor alterations and additions, quality of work, etc.
"The Public Works Department has, at various times, been criticised from the point of view of cost of staff as compared with value of work executed, and it can readily be seen that to take away just those works where the expenditure is large and executive charges a small percentage, is to place the Department in a position where this criticism can most easily be made."
In any case there are a thousand and one duties proper to the Public Works Department which it is not suggested should be so handed over-buildings and works of essential importance but of no spectacular value-and the staff must be maintained to cope with them. The occasional transfer of a big undertaking would make comparatively little difference to the regular staff it is necessary to maintain, and could hardly result in any economy unless in the case of very exceptional works.
The Government experience of outside Public Works on the few occasions where we have contracted out has always enhanced the reputation of our own officers, and I am glad of this opportunity to champion their cause. (Applause).
·
Their work may not be showy--they are forced to consider utility first-and its first cost may at times be high. But we have keen and efficient overseeing of all detail, and the reduction of upkeep amply restores the balance in the ultimate cost.
I am glad of this opportunity to say a word on behalf of our Public Works Department whose work throughout is, I believe, acknowledged to be at least as good as any to be found in the Colony. (Applause).
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