Sessional_Paper_1891 — Page 121

REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

At Meetings held on the 11th and 22nd of June and the 21st of July, 1891.

117

PRESENT:

The Honourable the Surveyor General (SAMUEL BROWN), Chairman.

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77

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11

the Acting Colonial Secretary (WILLIAM MEIGH GOODMAN). JAMES JOHNSTONE KESWICK.

HO KAI.

THOMAS HENDERSON WHITEHEAD.

The Committee met at the request of the Surveyor General.

The plans and estimate in connection with the Cattle Depôt were laid before and considered by the Committee.

Agreed that these plans be approved.

The plans and estimate (reduced by $5,000) of the Slaughter House and Pig and Sheep Depôt at Kennedy Town were laid before and discussed by the Committee.

Agreed that these plans be approved.

The plans and estimate of the Central Market shewing a reduction from $270,000 to $250,000 were laid before and considered by the Committee, together with tenders from various contractors.

The Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD moved the following resolutions :-

1. That as it is impossible for non-professional men to determine as to the best method of dealing with a work of such importance as the proposed New Central Market local architects be invited to send in designs for a New Central Market with detailed plans and estimates, the building to be erected on the present foundations, Government to offer two prizes therefor.

2. That in consequence of the Minutes of His Excellency Governor Sir William Des Voeux dated the 3rd and 14th April, 1891, this Committee is called upon to decide between the designs of the Honourable the Surveyor General and of Mr. H. W. Wills.

3. That this Committee has no sufficient information before its Members to enable it to decide between the designs of the Honourable the Surveyor General and of Mr. H. W. Wills.

4. That a Commission be appointed with power to call professional and other witnesses before it

to examine them and report.

5. That such Commission should consist of the Honourable the Acting Colonial Secretary, Mr. J.

J. Keswick, and one of the other Un-official Members of Council.

These resolutions were not seconded.

The Honourable J. J. KESWICK moved the following resolutions :--

1. That the Committee cannot undertake to decide upon the comparative merits of the two plans sub- mitted to them, and the responsibility of selecting a plan must remain with the Public Works Department; but this Committee, in view of tenders having been invited in the usual way, recommend the acceptance of Chang Kee's tender on the assumption that he is a man of sufficient means to carry it out satisfactorily.

2. That the Committee wish to state that they make the above recommendation on the understanding that every economy in the designs has been made which the Surveyor General can devise and that a saving of at least $20,000 will be made on the original estimates.

The Honourable Ho KAI seconded.

Question--put and agreed to.

Laid before the Legislative Council this 24th day of July, 1891.

A. M. THOMSON, Acting Clerk of Councils,

S. BROWN,

Chairman.