Sessional_Paper_1902 — Page 286

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By Mr. Master.-Could it be arranged for you and others to take your orders from Mr. TOOKER on the previous evening so that you could go straight off in the morning?

A-I don't think it could, because the contractor comes to the office in the morn- ing to get his orders too. There are things that have to be settled, measurements checked, etc., and the morning is the most convenient time.

Q-Do the contractors come up every day?

A-Yes, every day.

By Colonel Brown.-What has the contractor on or off?

A-At present it is 3 per cent. on in the outside district and 25 per cent. on in the New Territory.

By the Chairman.-Is there anything you wish to say to the Commission or any matter that would be of use to the Commission ?

A-Nothing beyond that we could do with some more assistants on buildings. The staff is not sufficient in the inside. We have been one man short for some months

now.

Q-But with that man's place filled up, that would be sufficient?

A--That part would be all right then, but if there was much more increase on my job I would require more assistance.

Q-But, at present, you can cope with the work?

A-At present, I can cope with the work. The changing of the Light at Cape D'Aguilar will cause a lot of work, and I am informed that I will have to look after it.

By Mr. Shewan.-If the work gets less, you will have too many men?

A That is so, but the maintenance of buildings runs annually about the same. Q--On the average you do a pretty fair day's work?

A-Yes.

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H. W. WOLFE sworn:—

By the Chairman.-What is your position in the Public Works Department?

A-Assistant Overseer.

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Q-How long have you been in the Public Works Department?

A--Five years and one month.

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Q-And what was your profession before you joined ?

A-A joiner by trade.

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Q-What is your salary?

A-$100 per mensem and Exchange Compensation.

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Q-That comes to about $125 a month?

A--Approximately.

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Q-What are your duties as Assistant Overseer?

A-At present I am assisting Mr. MUGFORD in the maintenance of Government buildings. That is keeping them in repair. When a report is sent in, we go and look. at the work and see it carried out.