CO129-348 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [7-10] — Page 261

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I asked hir. Griffin whether he agreed in Mr. Eves's view

regarding bridge 4, and he replied that he thought the

foundations faulty and that it would probably be necessary

&c.

to strengthen them by inverting,&

2.

I thereupon instructed the

Director of Public Works to visit the two worst bridges

and report to me whether in his view the matter was

sufficiently serious to call for an expert enquiry. I

enclose copy of the report which he submitted after a care-

-ful personal investigation-

-in brief he recommended that

the bridge No. 4 should be taken down and rebuilt on founda-

-tions much deeper than the existing structure. Acting on

this opinion of the Senior Engineer in the Government

Service I decided to appoint two of the most experienced

and most qualified Engineers in the Colony to thoroughly

examine not only the bridges in question but all others,

after making such borings &c., as they might require. I

was exceptionally fortunate in securing the services for

this work of Mr. A. J. Williams, Head of Punchard

Lowther's here who has superintended the construction of

the Naval Docks which are just completed. His report is

one which will command respect throughout the Engineering

World. I therefore associated him with Mr. Chatham, and I enclose