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Q-When that is done, that is to say, when the proposed legislation becomes law and the responsibility is placed upon the architects, what staff would you require to carry out your duties under that Ordinance?
A-One Assistant Engineer and two more Inspectors to enable me to carry out things properly.
Q-When buildings are being built, how many times do you think you ought to visit them?
A-I think they ought to be inspected at least once a week.
Q-Even with the superintendence of the architects?
A-Yes, even with that.
Q-And how many buildings are in course of erection now?
A-Up to the present time we have had about 1,500 plans for about 2,000 buildings of various kinds, this year.
Q-Is that about the average for the past three years ?
A-No; it has considerably increased during the past two years.
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Q-How could one Assistant Engineer visit all these houses?
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self.
A-They should be inspected by the Inspector, or Assistant Engineer, or by my-
Q-What staff would you require ?
A-At least two more Inspectors, an Assistant Engineer and myself. That would be five altogether.
Q.-Do you think you could visit 250 houses a week?
A-Ob yes,
I think so. They won't require such an elaborate inspection when they are under the architect's supervision. A very casual inspection would do.
Q-The architect would be responsible for everything?
A-Yes.
Q-At present you are responsible for everything?
A-Yes.
Q-And you ought to inspect them as closely as you do your own buildings? A-We have got to go right over the buildings and see that they don't diverge from the plans, and that takes up a tremendous lot of time.
By Colonel BROWN.-I notice in the evidence about the recent collapse of buildings in Cochrane Street that you were furnished with false plans, were you not?
A-We were.
Q-And do you think, when the architect is put in charge, that won't occur again? A-I don't think so for their own sake. But, at the same time, I think the architect should be a certified man. Any man can set up in the Colony as an architect at the present time.
By Mr. THURBURN. That is one of the recommendations?
A-That is one of the recommendations.
By Mr. MASTER.-Practically, the inspection of buildings has been nil through insufficiency of staff?
A-Practically mil. I sent in a written report to Mr. ORMSBY and implored him to take some steps, but Mr. ORMSBY said he didn't think it was necessary.
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