Sessional_Paper_1902 — Page 233

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Q-On permanent or temporary agreements?

A-My own opinion is that they should be permanent. I may say all our officers come out from home under three years' agreements, but, as a rule, at the end of that period they become permanent members of the staff. During the past 11 years, none have ever gone home at the end of their three years, unless they themselves desired to do so.

Q-Then, from what you say, I presume that, in your opinion, the value of public works to be executed and the extent of them are likely to be maintained for some years to come?

A-Undoubtedly-increase, I should say.

Q-So that, instead of the staff being decreased, you think it should be increased?

A-Yes.

Q-It has been suggested more than once that the Government, instead of under- taking its own works, should engage outside architects an engineers in private practice to undertake them. What is your opinion on that subject ?

A-I am entirely opposed to that arrangement.

Q-Why?

A-Well, for one thing, it is a more expensive arrangement.

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Q-In what way more expensive?

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A--Take the Kowloon Waterworks, for instance, the estimated cost of which is a little over $800,000. The commission to be paid for supervising that work will be over $40,000, and that sum would go a long way in supplementing the staff at the rate of salaries paid to the members of it.

Q-And what period of time is that work likely to cover ?

A-Four years.

Q-That is $10,000 a year for commission. Any other grounds of objection to allowing architects and engineers outside the Government to undertake the work?

A-Private firms are working purely with the intention of making as much money as they can, and if another large work comes along, they don't send the man away who brings it to them. They say certainly they will take it, and if necessary they increase their staff just as we would do in order to carry out that work. Therefore, I don't see that any gain is. to be made by placing the work in their hands. The work is carried out no more effectively, because it is in large measure relegated to an assistant just as it is with us. When work increases and the Government wants more done, I am in a position to say it must employ more assistants. Outside firms may try to rub along with the staff they have got and the job may not receive the same attention--in all probability it will not receive so much-as it does under us.

Q-With regard to the comparative cost of contracts undertaken by the Govern- ment and private individuals, what is your opinion ?

A-My own opinion is that we get work done as economically as private firms, and that, if there is any difference at all, it is due to our requiring a higher class of work in many cases than they do.

Q-Discarding any prejudice that may exist in your mind, how do you think the Government work compares with the work of the private individual?

that.

A--My opinion is that it compares very favourably. I think any one will admit

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