Sessional_Paper_1884 — Page 446

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Q.-Quite so; but-not speaking about the future, but what has been said with regard to these men-with regard to measured work, though they are liable to have a check, a surprise check, placed upon their calculation and reports, yet habitually it is upon the Overseer's report as to quantity done that a payment is made. I mean that the Overseer, who sees the work, and who is in contact with the Contractor, is the man upon whose certificate as to quantity you must habitually act?

The very

A. Yes, I dare say; but of course the inspection is made all the same. fact that they are subject any moment, to investigation and inspection is the only safeguard that one has. If I tell a man to dig a trench down a street 4 feet deep he may dig it 3 feet 6 inches. If I don't happen to have inspected it before it is filled in it may escape detection, but the chance that he may be surprised any minute would be likely to make that man carry out his instructions and dig it 4 feet deep.

Q-I suppose the only distinction between contract work and measured work as regards the certificate is this: contract work is done according to specification and paid for by a lump sum. For instance, you would say, to fill in this room with concrete of a certain quality and place iron props at certain distances, the iron to be of such and such a quality; you pay for that in the lump; but there are certain matters of quantity you would require to be satisfied about. Say that you had provided 24 windows, you would want to see that; that the concrete should be of a certain quality, you would want to see that?

A. Yes.

Q.-These things have to be certified to before you pay; these are questions of quantity just as much in that as in measured work?

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A. Yes, because the thickness of walls and so on is all provided for, but that is principally in buildings, and they are in charge of Clerks of Works.

Q.-Well, don't you think the fact that the same man who is in constant contact with the Contractor is the man who certifies as to quantity, subject of course to casual supervision and the chance of being found out--don't you think that is a position which exposes a man to have this sort of thing said about him?

A. Certainly I do.

Q.-Well; now for the protection of the officers of your department. I mean for their reputation for the future, for protection from attacks, can you suggest any alteration in that system?

A. In theory I could make the same suggestion that Mr. LISTER proposed to me just now of having a supervising officer.

Q-But practically?

A. The proposal looks very pretty, but I am afraid in practice that supervising officer would as often as not have to go upon the report given him by the man in charge of the work. I think our remedy is to pay the men a little more and get men of character and integrity.