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Q.-You have had no reason to suspect anything of that kind?
A. No, I have not.
Q.-Are these foremen allowed to measure work?
A. Yes.
Q-They do measure?
A. Yes, the measurement is left largely in their hands.
Q.
Do you consider they are competent to measure?
A. Yes.
Q. Do you consider that measuring gives them an opportunity to favour the Contractor?
A.-Not to any extent that is worth while, because our system of carrying out work is very strict. First of all the work is carefully detailed, and everything that is necessary is put down as far as can be seen in the detail; then it is ordered accordingly, and if there is the slightest deviation from that it must be supported by a written authority from the Division Officer, who, in my case, would be myself. Then as I notice the work going on, if I see it deviating I inquire the reason and approve or disapprove as the case may be.
Q.-Then you mean that the resulting measurements ought to correspond with the estimated measurements?
A.—Yes; if it differed by more than a very slight quantity one's notice would be at once attracted. They have a very small opportunity for doing anything of that kind.
Q.-Mr. FLEMING told us, however, that it was chiefly his business to do all the measuring.
A. Yes, in large works he does measure; he either measures personally or accompanies the foreman of works when he is measuring. If Mr. FLEMING was not there to do it I should do it myself.
Q.-Then the idea seems to be not to leave any important measurement in the hands of the foreman?
A. That is the idea, but under stress of circumstances sometimes that cannot quite be carried out.
Q.-Then the practical working would seem to be that while the foreman measures small things, in larger the superior officer is responsible?
A. The superior officer is responsible always.
Q-Does the foreman give the Contractor any assistance in making out his bill?
A. Here we do; in fact we do it in self-preservation, because we would never get the work through otherwise, but strictly speaking we should not. It is the Contractor's business to make out the bill, and it is a favour we are doing him in assisting him to do it.
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