184
618
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Q-If there is a building in course of erection, do you go and look at it ?
A—Yes, provided it is not a new work.
9
Q-When do you finish?
A-About five o'clock in the evening.
620
Q-From nine till five o'clock, then?
A-Yes.
1
Q-But you told the Chairman that you worked nine hours a day?
A-Only sometimes, Sir. Only when I am pushed for work.
2
Q-But the Chairman asked you how long you worked on an average ? A-I beg pardon, Sir.
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4
6.
By the Chairman.-What are your average hours ?
A-The real hours are about eight a day, Sir. As I said before, I work of an evening in the house, eight hours would be the truth.
By Mr. Shewan.-You say AH Hox does not give any sub-contracts. No Go- vernment contractor is supposed to give sub-contracts ?
A--It would not be right.
Q-But as a matter of fact, the Chinese do?
A-I believe they do, but, unless we are absolutely sure, we can't say anything. Q-You say you charge them $5 a day for overtime beyond their contract?
A-Yes.
7
Q-But $5 a day is very little ?
8
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1
2
A-That is the sum, I don't know whether it is laid down by the Honourable the Colonial Secretary, but if you fined some of them $100 it would not be too much.
Q-Why is it AH HOк gets the business?
A-Because it appears they are good men he and his father before him, and they have given satisfaction. AH Hox has had it two years now.
By the Chairman.-Do they send in tenders?
A-Yes. I am not sure whether they select.
I have an idea that Government
selects good men for this work-for Governinent House, and that class of work, it would not do to have any contractor.
By Mr. Shewan.-Do you think you are overworked?
A-Not when I have got my proper assistance.
Q-Do you think anyone in your Department is overworked?
A I would rather not answer that question, if you will excuse me, because you will have the different overseers here, and they will speak for themselves.
Q-But you must have an opinion whether they are overworked or not?
By the Chairman.-You must know whether your own men are overworked? A-I know my assistants have plenty to do sometimes, but other times they have not so much to do. A man may work an hour extra to-day, but to-morrow it is all the other way.
He is not overworked on the average.
Q-Have they a full day's work on the average?
A--They have always a full day's work on the average. I have got 108 buildings.
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