CO129-419 - Individuals - 1914 — Page 217

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by the Architects, I at any time evinced any hostile attitude towards them. At one time the works were actually at a standstill for want of plans and drawings to enable them to be proceeded with. All my letters to them are available for inspection and I feel sure that a perusal of the correspond- ence will show that I never exceeded my duty when writing to or communicating with them.

I certainly was not the only one who experienced difficulty with the Architecta.

Such difficulties had arisen

years before I was connected with the actual work. I assisted them so far as I possibly could, and I had to carry on my work under most trying conditions. Ultimately the Architects in- sinuated that I was in league with the Contractor although this suggestion was aubsequently withdrawn, The difficulties were not of my creation, but I did my best to overcome them.

I think if you will refer to page 5 of enclosure C

in my letter of the 30th January you will find that the state- ment that the Architects made no complaints against other members of the staff who were connected with the work is

inaccurate. You will see from this enclosure that the Archi-

teots did complain about another officer.

As regards the Governor's statement that I seemed

to have conceived a dislike to the Director of Public Works,

I need perhaps merely state the following facts: (a) He

retained the plans and drawings two years and two months as

previously stated (b) He misled a member of the Commission

appointed by the Governor as stated in my letter to you of the

30th January, page 12. I protested against his statement

and from that time Mr. Chatham adopted a very hostile atti-

tude towards me and shortly after this incident he pooh poohed

my calculations for the work and stated that I should be left

behind as there were plenty of men like me about.

My cal-

culations however, were ultimately proved to be correct.