Sessional_Paper_1884 — Page 318

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Q.-The CHAIRMAN.-You say that with regard to quality this system under which the Surveyor General or Deputy Surveyor General goes round and looks at the work from time to time is sufficient?

A.-Yes; no doubt about that.

Q-But as regards the quantities you say a casual visit of that kind would not be a sufficient check?

A.--No, another thing, it means not only measuring up, but squaring the measure- ments as we call it, and carrying them out.

Q.-Well, this measuring; he would go round, he would see, where the specifica- tion says 12 inches of concrete, not only that the length was right, but the depth?

A. Yes, and it would be his duty if the work was covered up to tell the Con- tractor to expose it.

Q-At present no one can see that?

A.-No one but the Overseer in charge of the contract. I have found as a rule

the bills are made out from the Contractor's bill.

Q.-Hon. F. B. JOHNSON.-Instead of being checked independently by a Govern-

ment Officer?

A.--Yes; it is the same in my own practice; I don't say in every case.

Q. And I suppose you consider such Officer, if appointed, should be well paid, and a superior man?

A. You can get these men. They are called measuring Surveyors. It is a branch of the architectural profession that has cropped up within the last ten years. He ought to receive a good salary, because he would have a great responsibility on him, and he would have to be a man you could rely on.

Q.-The CHAIRMAN.--Do you know of a case in which work that has been passed and paid for as 5 inch work say had been found afterwards to be really only 3 inch work?

A.-No. You see that did not come under me. I had nothing much to do with that class of work. I had nothing much to do with the class of Overseers they have I had my own work and my own special Overseers. If it was in a Court of law you would say it was not evidence, but there are things you hear every day talked of in the department. They have opportunities of doing it.

now.

Q.-And there is no means of detecting them?

A.---No means. You simply depend on the word of the Overseer in charge of the work, and he certifies the bill.

Q, Hon. A. LISTER.-But I suppose if an Overseer allowed, for instance, a 14 inch wall to be built only 9 inches, he would run a great risk of detection afterwards?