CO129-308 - Public Offices - 1901 — Page 128

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

As you are doubtless aware, the usual practice in such cases is to arrange contracts as to carry out the work for a fixed price. Their profits will then depend upon their success in organisation and in effective economics, whilst their principals have to rely on supervision to ensure that the work is properly done. In practice, though supervision can be made effective, it is unsound in principle; and approaches adoption.

The system which M. Ormsby proposes would, it is true, affect the part of the contractors in keeping tenders low and carrying out the work at the cost of efficiency on the one hand, and economy at the other. It would finish down the cost, and Government would find it impracticable to attempt supervision to secure economies in construction. Any attempts, e.g., to interfere with the number of the staff or the wages of the workmen might be met by the argument that the Contractors will not be held responsible for the proper execution of the works under such matters allowed their own way in such matters.

10. It does not appear from your despatch and its enclosures that a definite arrangement has been made as to the position of the contracting firm in regard to the Director of Public Works. I presume, however, that there is an intention of vesting the Director of responsibility, both as regards...

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As you are doubtless aware, the usual practice in such cases is to arrange contracts as to carry out the work for a fixed price. Their profits will then depend upon their success in organisation and in effective economics, whilst their principals have to rely on supervision to ensure that the work is properly done. In practice, though supervision can be made effective, it is unsound in principle; and approaches adoption. The system which M. Ormsby proposes would, it is true, affect the part of the contractors in keeping tenders low and carrying out the work at the cost of efficiency on the one hand, and economy at the other. It would finish down the cost, and Government would find it impracticable to attempt supervision to secure economies in construction. Any attempts, e.g., to interfere with the number of the staff or the wages of the workmen might be met by the argument that the Contractors will not be held responsible for the proper execution of the works under such matters allowed their own way in such matters. 10. It does not appear from your despatch and its enclosures that a definite arrangement has been made as to the position of the contracting firm in regard to the Director of Public Works. I presume, however, that there is an intention of vesting the Director of responsibility, both as regards...
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ol ther a Ram and Gibles by a percentage outley is unsound in prundifle; and approrects adoption. The usual practice in such Cases is, As You are I cannot doubtlen with the out the to arrange Continct as to carry was for a fixed price Their profits will then defend upon this success in organisation and in espective economics whilst their principals have to han to rely efour refervision to that the work is to ensure broberly Fon. In praptic pough suferission Can to exist be made effective 9. The system which M. Ormsby proposes obrali would, it is time, affect the part o for massing their wook, but they would interest in have M in keeping M tendeng arry the contractors of to Economy at the Cook of Efficely on the Muhand. down the cost, and 126 would finis. it Government impracticably to atterift of supervision to by лисаму secure economies in construction Any attempts, e. s., to interfere with the number of the staff o mish be met a wages the workmen by a the argument that the Contractors will not be held responsible for the proper execution of the works unders allowed their own such matters. way in 10. It does not affear from your desfalch ay aits enclosures that definite arrangement has To the fosition been made as of the contracting prin in to the Duictor of Publi regard to I presume, however, Works. that there is of intention Farvesting the Duicts of responsibility, bott caflayed big the A
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ol

ther

a

Ram and Gibles by a

percentage outley is unsound in prundifle; and approrects adoption. The usual practice in such

Cases is,

As

You are

I cannot

doubtlen

with the

out the

to arrange Continct as to carry was for a fixed price Their profits will then

defend upon this success in organisation and in espective economics whilst their principals have to

han to rely efour refervision to

that the work is

to ensure

broberly

Fon. In praptic pough suferission

Can

to

exist be made effective

9. The system which

M. Ormsby proposes

obrali

would, it is time, affect the part o

for massing their

wook, but they would

interest in

have

M

in keeping

M

tendeng arry the contractors

of

to Economy at the Cook of Efficely

on the Muhand.

down the cost, and 126

would finis. it

Government impracticably to atterift of supervision to

by

лисаму

secure economies in construction

Any attempts, e. s.,

to

interfere with the number

of the staff o

mish be met

a wages the workmen

by

a

the argument that the

Contractors will not be held

responsible for the proper execution of the works unders allowed their own

such matters.

way in

10. It does not

affear from your desfalch ay

aits enclosures that definite arrangement has

To the fosition

been made as

of the contracting prin in

to the Duictor of Publi regard to I presume, however, Works.

that there is of

intention

Farvesting the Duicts of responsibility, bott caflayed big the

A

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