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Q.-Is it worth the money paid for it, taking the quality of the work into con- sideration?
A.-Within a few per cent, I should think. I think they do pay a little more than that same work could be done for by private firms.
Q.-But then you must take these delays into account, and that hitherto they have always had a certain percentage of copper?
A. That has always been a sore point.
Q.-I believe it is a fact that private Architects here receive, or may receive, very considerable presents ?
A.-I don't; I have never received any. They are open to receive them if they like; they have plenty of chances.
Q. Hon. F. B. JOHNSON.-You mean to say plenty of presents are offered?
A.-No. I don't mean that plenty are offered, because the men soon find out. You get one or two opportunities of receiving presents, and then they don't try it on again.
Q.-Hon. A. LISTER.-You mean the Contractors find out very soon who will take presents and who not?
A. Yes.
Q.-One gentleman told us no presents had been offered to him; another gentleman, in the Royal Engineers, told us very valuable presents had been offered to him. May I ask if presents have ever been offered to you in private practice?
A.-No.
Q. Do you know as a fact that private Architects do receive presents ?
A.-I should be sorry to think any private Architect would do such a thing.
Q-Was any present ever offered to you in the Public Works Department?
A. Yes. I once had a chance.
Q.-Could you tell us about it?
A.-I don't see that it could do any good. I will say money was left anonymously
for me in an envelope on my table.
Q. What was the amount?
A.—It was a large amount.
Q. I think you might tell us.
A.-$300.
Q. How did you get rid of it?
A.—I did not know who it came from, but I had a very shrewd guess. I had to keep it for two or three days.
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