Page 362
11.
I have had instructions from you to execute the work departmentally. The fact that there is no great hurry with the line (except the tunnel) renders departmental construction very economical. I had no instruction from you that the work of construction should be pressed on, so to speak regardless of expenses and so I have been trying to work economically and keep down the rates.
12.
My first duty on arrival in the Colony was to start the tunnel, which I have done as best I could with the labour and materials to hand. My next duty was to check the line and prepare drawings and estimates, so as to be ready to start work at the beginning of the working season. This I have been doing as fast as possible, but have been very much handicapped by the prevalence of malarial fevers in the outlying districts.
13.
In order to arrive at rates for the estimate, I have got tenders from most of the local contractors, most of which I consider absolutely exorbitant. I therefore am making arrangements for the importation of labour, which ought to arrive when the working season begins. I do not feel called upon to criticise the rates or the reasons for their being so high and can only do my best to keep them as low as possible and try and break the rings by importing men from other parts. This is of necessity a slow process and won't show any return for the time and trouble spent till the working season begins.
14.
I do not wish it to be thought that I shirk criticism; but I have been criticised in a way, which shows want of confidence in my experience on railway construction.
15.
My instructions are to report to you to whom I consider I am alone responsible, this I do every English mail. I did not report these criticisms of His Excellency, as I thought he was satisfied with my answers. By the cable which he has sent, I see he was not satisfied with my explanations. I understand Mr. A. J. Barry has left England and may shortly be expected in the Colony. I will lay the whole matter before him and he can then judge as to whether I have been in any way to blame for the apparent slowness of the work.
Yours &c.,
C. L. Eves.
Page 362
11.
...
15.
(remainder of page numbering as per original scan)
becomes simply:362
...
362
&
362
11.
I have had instructions from you to execute the work
departmentally. The fact that there is no great hurry with the line
(exceot the tunnel) renders departmental construction very economicel.
I had no instruction from you that the work of construction should be
oressed on, so to soeek regardless of expenses and so I have been trying
to work economically and keep down the rates.
12.
My first duty on arrival in the Colony was to start
the tunnel, which I have done as best I could with the labour ead
materials to hend. Vy next duty was to check the line and prepare draw-
ines and estimates, so as to be ready to start work at the beginning of
working season. This I have been doing as fast as possible, but have been
very much handicapoed by orevalance of malarial feveria the outlying
districte.
13.
In order to arrive at rates for the estimate, I have got
teaders from most of the local contractors, most of which I consider
absolutely exorbitant, I therefore an making arrangements for the importa→
tion of labour, which ought to arrive when the working season begins. I
do not feel called woon to criticise the rates or the reasons of their
being so high and can only do my best to keep them as low as possible
and try and break the rings by inporting men from other perts. This is of
- necessity a slov process and won't show any return for the time end
trouble soent till the working season becins.
14.
I do not wish it to be thought that I shirk criticism; but
I have been criticised in a way, which shows went of confidence in my
experience on railway construction,
15.
Wy instructions are to report to you to whom I consider I
am alone responsible, this I do every English Wall. I did not report these criticisms of His Excellency, es I thought he was satisfied with my
answers. By the cable which he has sent, I see he was not satisfied with
my explanations, I understand Mr. A. J. Barry has left England and may
shortly be expected in the Colony. I will lay the whole netter before him
and he can then judge as to whether I have been in any way to blame for
the apparent slowness of the work,
*C Yours ***,
$0.
C. 1. Eves.
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