Sessional_Paper_1902 — Page 302

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Q-And do you detect bad work?

A-I have on several occasions detected bad work and had a piece of wall pulled down. I cannot watch every brick being laid, nor every pot of mortar being put in. Any four men, I say, could do 600 houses by just walking through.

By the Chairman.-That is, they might chance to find something that was unsatisfactory?

A-The people would always be afraid of them walking on and, I think, they would not attempt to put any bad material in if the inspector came round often. At Aplichau, the other day, the people had a whole house erected. It had been put up in my absence. I happened to go there and found that it had hollow walls. Mr. TOOKER was there.

Q-But the inspection at the best can be only a cursory examination ?

A-Yes.

By Mr. Shewan.-When you left London, you were a draughtsman, I presume?

A--Ycs.

Q -And when you came out here you expected to get a better position ?

A-Yes.

Q -What was your salary as a draughtsman ?

A-Must I answer that question?

Q -I will put it in another way. Are you getting a much better salary now? A-Now, I get very little more than I did then.

-Why did

you come out here?

A-Because I was told that the dollar was sometimes 3/8, that is why I came out. I was told it fluctuated.

By the Chairman.-Where did you get that information ?

A-From Mr. PoWNELL and from some of the clerks in the office.

Q

-Did you get that information from Mr. PowNELL ?

A-Yes.

By Mr. Shewan. Did you get a written agreement when you came out?

A-Yes, and in it I was told that I was to reside where ordered, and I was told that all Government servants got quarters out here.

Q-Who told you that?

A-One of the clerks in the Crown Agents' office.

Q-Who was the clerk?

A-I don't know his name.

Q-Still you knew you could only go by the agreement. It said nothing about three and eight pence to the dollar or board and lodging?

A--It simply said that, on landing, I was to reside where ordered,

A-He is an engineer in Victoria Street.

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By Mr. Thurburn.-What position did Mr. PowNELL occupy ?

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By Mr. Master.--Anything to do with the Crown Agents?

A-Yes. He painted a very beautiful picture of the place and said that, when he was here, the dollar was four shillings, and you could get servants for very little.