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Q.-You have never had occasion, you say, to complain of Contractors not having completed their contracts properly?
A.--No.
Q. And never had to report them for being over their time?
A. That is done in the office. When the bill comes in you have just to say how long the time was.
Q.-And when the work is finished do you give any certificate that the work is finished satisfactorily?
A.---Only sign the Contractor's bill.
Q.-The CHAIRMAN.-You did not sign that Memorial?
A.-No.
Q.--Have you seen that article written about the Public Works Department?
A. Yes.
Q.—“Jobbery is said to prevail extensively amongst the subordinate members,” etc. As far as your experience goes, is it true that it is so said?
A.-I could not say.
Q.--Do you find people about the place speaking about it?
A.--No, I have never heard any one speaking about it. All the work I have been on, they generally say it is a strong job; the sea-wall on the other side for instance ; they say "a typhoon ought not to blow this down."
Q.-But you have never heard any suggestions of bribery-taking squeezes for bad work?
A.---No.
Q.--Never heard any names mentioned?
A.-No.
Q-Hon. F. B. JOHNSON.-I am not quite clear about this measuring work. Mr. BEST said it was his special duty to make estimates of work not done by contract that had to be measured. He said it was his duty first to make the estimate, then it was committed to the Overseer, and after the work was completed then it was the business of the Contractor to send in his statement, and Mr. PRICE compared the Contractor's claim with the estimate. Now you tell us it is your business to make the estimate and measure the work after it is done. Will you give us an explanation of that?
A.After the previous Clerk of Works Mr. PRESTAGE died, there was twelve months without a Clerk of Works and I did the duty. I went round the Police Stations or wherever there was work to be done, made out the estimate, and gave it to Mr. BOWDLER. That was while Mr. PRICE was in England, Mr. BowDLER would then tell
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