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-We are told that in Government work there are several Overseers deputed to look after the work. Do you see any way in which that can be changed with advantage, that system of having Overseers to superintend it?
A.-No. The weakness is this, that the man who superintends the work has to certify for payment of the same. My suggestion comes in there as to the measuring Clerk. I don't know for an actual fact, but I have every reason to believe it to be true; for instance, I could not specify a road was made of 12 inches of concrete; it was not my duty to look after that; it was the Overseer's; the Overseer would go and tell
the man.
"No, you make it 9 inches." Do you think the difference would go into the Contractor's pocket? Now, if you have an independent man who goes in and measures the work it would be no advantage to him to certify wrongly.
Q.-Who would see whether there was lime or not?
A. That is the Overseer's duty.
Q.-Well, there is opportunity for bribery there?
A. But the measuring Surveyor would see whether the concrete was 9 inches or 12 inches, and it would be no benefit to the Overseer then to say "Maskee. 12 inches, put down 9 inches."
Q-I don't think you quite understand. As far as measuring is concerned there is the check, but as regards bad material there is no check.
A.-No, but the Superior Officer would soon find that out. It is very seldom we have complaints about bad material. Mr. PRICE, Mr. BOWDLER, or Mr. ORANGE, would see it at once.
Q.-But as regards measuring?
A. I have heard it said that where four or five stone channels are specified they have put three stone channels in. Now the measuring Clerk would see that.
Q.-You have heard what is said about corruption. Have you had in your ex- perience any direct instances that have come to your knowledge in which you could say you knew of corruption?
A--No. I know the men get things; my own men get it, the Royal Engineers get it, but you can never bring it to them.
Q.-But you believe there are?
A. No doubt about it. When I was in the service these Overseers had more money to spend than we had, and lived at a better rate. It is the same with my own Overseers and the Royal Engineers, but I don't think it is worse here than at home.
Q.-And the only thing you can suggest is that there should be a special Officer to measure up?
A. Yes.
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