CO129-348 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [7-10] — Page 263

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Government he will "take no chances" and instead of

conscientiously doing his best for his employers from the

high sense of duty to be expected from a man in his

responsible position he will no longer study economy but

will fortify his reputation at the expense of the Colony.

He challenges the right of the Government which is paying

for the work to criticise or examine it even when gaping

cracks 14 inches wide appear in the bridge walls, and

"declines to bind himself" to carry out any suggestions

made by the two highest expert Engineers in the Colony

pending reference to the Consulting Engineers. The

question of the roofing of the Tunnel

which he brings

vis

in is in no way parallel to the present case }

the in-

-vestigation of at least three bridges in which cracks

have appeared. In his second letter he expressed great

surprise that I have not associated himself on the

Committee which I have appointed to report to me on the

circumstances. I need hardly say that the Committee was

not appointed in order to "consult with"him, or to advise

him as to what should be done. The statements of both Mr.

Chatham and Mr. Griffin call in question very seriously

the efficiency of his work. The Committee is to report as

to that efficiency and whether matters are so serious as

to