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Q-It has been brought before the Public Works Committee of the Legislative Council, has it not?
A-Yes.
Q-Has their report been published?
A-Yes, it was laid on the Council table.*
Q-And are you aware that the Government intends to legislate on that point?
A-I understand the Bill is very nearly completed.
Q-And what generally will be the principles of that Bill?
A-That architects will be made responsible and that only architects can carry out works; that it won't be possible for a Chinaman to arrange with some colleague for the erection of half a dozen houses and carry out the work without any supervision as is done at present. The Chinaman will be compelled to employ a properly qualified architect, and the architect will bave power to employ overseers to look after the work whenever he considers it necessary.
Q-The architects wrote in on the subject?
A-Yes.
Q-Their letter also was published ?
A-Yes.
Q-And if this Ordinance becomes law how many Inspectors of Buildings would your Department require?
A-I believe I recommended four, and it was ultimately decided that three would be sufficient.
Q-What would be their duties if the law imposes on the architects the responsi- bility of seeing that everything is carried out properly?
A-Their duties will be to go round continually and pay surprise visits and see that the work is being carried out in accordance with the Building Ordinance.
Q--Then, with regard to the Building Ordinance, is there not a new Building Ordinance on the stocks?
A-Yes.
Q-And in this new Ordinance is to be embodied the new provisions making architects responsible for the house being erected by them?
A. Yes.
Q-Have you any suggestions to make in regard to the staff required for the work under the Building Ordinance?
A-I consider that one Assistant Engineer should be available for that work- practically exclusively available for supervising the Inspectors and examining all plans submitted and doing all that is necessary in that way.
Q-The Commission has been asked to report on the manner in which the duties of your Department have been performed during the past two years. One of the duties of your Department has been the inspection of buildings?
A-That is so.
* Sec Appendix No. 7.
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