Sessional_Paper_1884 — Page 442

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Q-Have you works requiring measurement all day?

A.—Yes; if you are making a sewer you go on with ten feet and it is covered up and then you go in with another ten feet. Unless the man were there before the work was filled in he would not have an opportunity of measuring.

Q. What is the provision now with the Overseers?

A.-If the work is of any moment a rough plan is made, and the specification is made out, and it is the duty of the Overseer to see the work is carried out according to the terms of the specification.

Q.-That is as far as regards the character of the work?

A. Yes.

Q.-But if you can estimate the quantity of work before-hand, surely you can measure it afterwards. I understand the Clerk of Works prepares an estimate of expenses placed in the specification. When this work is completed it is as easy to measure it

then as before?

A.-It is out of sight perhaps.

Q.

Then when does the measuring take place? By whom is it checked, as it stands now?

A.-Either by myself or the Assistant Surveyor General. Take the case of a retaining wall. You build a certain amount of masonry and you fill in behind with earth. Unless the officer whom you choose to name the measuring surveyor were then before the earth was filled in he would not be able to see what the nature of the foundations was. Therefore I think he would have to rely greatly on the honesty of the Overseer in charge to see that the terms of the specification were complied with. Therefore I say if he has to take much for granted from the Overseer it is equivalent to

the present system.

Q.-Then does this man bring you the measurements every day?

A.-No.

Q.-Then why should he superintend the measuring?

A.—It is not bringing it to me, but he must be there to see it done. It is the Overseer's duty to see that the dimensions marked out in the plan are complied with, to see that the terms of the specification are carried out. If there is any deviation he

reports to me.

Q. How is the bill made out afterwards, on what basis?

A.-On the original specification, and if there any extra works are needed, it then becomes the duty of the Overseer to report to me, and I order these extra works.