Sessional_Paper_1884 — Page 445

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Q.-What is correct?

A.-I certify to the amount of work done, or the Assistant Surveyor General. I pass no bill on the Overseer's signature. No bill can be found in the Audit Office that has been passed by me on the ipse dixit of the Overseer.

Q-They said with regard to quality it is quite possible for a superior Officer making his rounds to see at a glance whether that work is up to standard or not, but with regard to quantity it requires an operation, is that correct?

A.-That is correct certainly. I should think it would be. I have an approxi- mate idea of cube, but I certainly would not like to certify to any bill without putting a tape line over the work.

Q. Do you perform that operation with regard to all quantities in the Public Works?

A.-No; I allow that to be performed entirely by Overseers with reference to advances on the contract. I take very little care about advances on contract, because I know I am keeping a sufficiency behind, and the thing will square itself when the last payment is made.

Q.-But you have to be satisfied certain quantities of work have been done, you take the certificate of the Overseer to that effect?

A.-On contract works, yes.

Q.-And he is the person who has to watch the work and is in contact with the Contractor from day to day?

A. Yes.

Q.-Well, with regard to measured work what is the case? Whose certificate is

taken then?

A.-The work in progress, which is principally excavation, is inspected either by myself or the Assistant Surveyor General.

Q.-Yes; but I mean when it is paid for by the quantity?

A.--In respect of measured work there is generally, in seven cases out of eight, a rough plan and specification. That rough plan specifies the length, and it is easy to check by superficial measurement the length, but as regards depth I have to trust to the Overseers that the specification has been complied with.

Q.-Well, with regard to that, say 5 feet of concrete has been provided for. You can see at a glance they have done 5 feet of length, but you have to trust to the supervision that the 5 feet in depth has been done?

A. Not entirely, because I go round a great deal and at irregular intervals, and if any thing goes wrong it might escape detection once, twice, or three times, but it is bound to come out in the end.