CO129-376 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [3-4] — Page 100

96

despatch as to the reason of the increase in the estimate

of September, 1909, over that of the Consulting Engineers,

the Director of Public Works minutes as follows:-

(a).

The base of the structure was widen-

-ed by the Consulting Engineers. By the time their design was,

received in the Colony, a great portion of the trench for the

breakwater had been dredged and, to provide for its widening,

a narrow strip on each side had to be dredged, which could

only be done at considerably increased cost.

(b).

With the full information before him

in the way of borings, trial pits, &c., Mr. Boulton consider-

-ed it advisable to make an increased allowance for settle-

-ment beyond what he had discussed with the Consulting

Engineers and what they based their estimate on.

(c).

No contract involving the use of

any considerable quantity of rubble had been let by this

Department since 1899. In discussing the prices with the

Consulting Engineers on which they based their estimate,

Mr. Boulton was not aware that the rates for this material

had increased to such an extent as proved to be the case.

From enquiries he subsequently made, he found that the rates

Ilust