Q.-And are you of opinion, seeing the state in which those works are, some of them being very far advanced, that the whole of Mr. CHATHAM's time is taken up with them ?
A.-Undoubtedly, because it is not only those works in progress, but the prepara- tion of plans of works to be carried out in the immediate future that require his attention.
Q.-And what are they?
A.-Tytam Reservoir, Signal Station for Kowloon, Cattle Depôt for Kowloon, New Government Offices.
Q.--Take the Central Market. What has he really to do now? What is his work
there?
A. He has to generally supervise the carrying out of that work, to constantly make periodical visits and see to any details which are required to be worked out for construction of the building. These are done by him or under his immediate supervision. Measurements have all to be made by him, and the monthly pay list and certificates for payments to the contractors are forwarded to me for signature, but he is responsible for their accuracy.
Q.-How often does he go down there?
A.-It depends partly on the reports from the Assistant Engineer and overseers; but sometimes he has to go down two or three times a day, at other times he may only go down twice a week, but I should think that is an exceptional case.
Q.-Has he any one to help him, any Assistant Engineer?
A. He has Mr. GIBBS as Assistant Engineer, but he is mainly engaged in the supervision of the Kowloon Waterworks. Mr. GIBBS has also to help him in the measurements and preparation of details for the Sheep and Pig Depôt, Central Market and Gaol Extension. Of course there are many matters that Mr. CHATHAM can leave to Mr. GIBBS more or less, and other matters which Mr. CHATHAM requires to go personally into.
Q. What are the other officers Mr. CHATHAM has under him?
A.-Mr. FRASER engaged on the Central Market and Gaol Extension, and Mr. NICHOLS engaged on the Slaughter House and Sheep and Pig Depôt, and Mr. Ross engaged on the Kowloon Waterworks, and then there are Chinese foremen also engaged on the Central Market, Kowloon Waterworks and Gaol Extension. The work in Kowloon is spread over a considerable area and every detail must be looked after to see that the work is properly done.
Q.-Next comes Mr. ToOKER. What has he to do?
A. He is practically in charge of the Annual Recurrent Works, Repairs to Buildings, etc. I may state, in connection with that, that there are now 107 Government buildings, exclusive of Gaol and Police Stations, in the Colony, for the maintenance of which the department is responsible. I have here a tabular statement shewing the number of public buildings exclusive of Gaol and Police Stations in periods of 5 years from 1878 to 1893 which I propose to put in. In 1878 there were 49 and now there are 107, and he has the maintenance of Telegraphs and Telephones which extend all over the Colony.
Q.-Government telegraphs?
T
A. Yes, and telephones to the lighthouses, police stations, and to the Harbour Offices. I have asked that the report on the introduction of the telephone system may be forwarded, and you will there find a description of what was proposed and what has practically been carried out. Mr. TOOKER has to do with the measurements of the areas occupied and the general arrangements for the laying out of the Public Cemetery, and the maintenance of the Praya Wall. In connection with the latter work there is not much required in the central portion of the City now on account of the Praya Reclamation, but the walls and piers in the Eastern and Western districts and at Shaukiwan and Aberdeen he attends to, also the lighthouses and the disinfector; the latter is a very small item the apparatus being now in the hands of the Sanitary Board, but we have to look after the repairs. Also the maintenance of roads and bridges in Victoria, out of Victoria, and Kowloon, the total length of which is now 100 miles. Also the gas lighting in the City of Victoria and Kowloon. The alteration and repairs to the lamps are effected by the Gas Company, but everything passes through the Public Works Department and has to be checked by a responsible officer. Mr. ToOKER is that officer and also performs similar duties in connection with the electric lighting of the City of Victoria. Mr. TOOKER also attends to the maintenance of the Public Recreation Ground. Also certifies the accounts in connection with the expenses of maintaining the Clock Tower. An annual sum is paid for lighting and winding the clock. There is not much work connected with that. In addition to the Annually Recurrent Works there are the
327
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.