224
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1200
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(92)
Q-What was the reason that no local architects sent in any competitive drawings for the Clock Tower?
A-I don't know, unless it be that they thought the premium too low, I don't think they thought it worth their while unless they had the work to carry out.
Q-What was the premium?
A-$250. Although I was successful, I may say, I am sorry there was no outside competitor.
By Mr. Thurburn.-The reason they did not go in for it was that the pre- mium was so absurdly small that, although any of them had been successful, it would not have been worth their while unless they had the construction to look after ?
A-Possibly.
By the Chairman.-How many architects in practice are there in the Colony that are Members of the Institute?
A--Messrs. PALMER & TURNER, and Mr. RAM of Messrs. DENISON & RAM, Mr. A. H. OUGH of Messrs. LEIGH & ORANGE, and Mr. C. B. THOMAS with Mr. DANBY, I believe they are the only members of the Royal Institute of British Architects.
Q-So that any competition here so far as architects properly so called are con- cerned, would be practically confined to the gentlemen whom you have mentioned?
A--Yes, as regards members of the Institute in practice.
Q-Have you ever heard, at home, of any man who is not an architect being called on to design any large building ?
A-No. Life is too short for a man to be an architect and an engineer both. By Mr. Shewan.-Do you think, Mr. FISHER, that $250 was a very small premium?
A-Undoubtedly it was. It worked out at about fifteen cents an hour.
Q-It was not your suggestion that the premium should be what it was?
A-No, Sir.
Q-You don't think any architect would have suggested such a premium ? A-No, it was necessary to prepare drawings, details and quantities.
Q-So that there was really no inducement for an architect 10 go in ?
A-No.
By Mr. Master.--- You say it worked out at fifteen cents an hour?
A--Yes, according to the time that I worked upon it.
By Mr. Shewan.-Have you anything to say against employing local architects ?
A-No.
Q--Then you think that, supposing the architects in the Public Works Depart- ment knew that they had to compete with others outside, they would probably put in better work or better designs?
A-I would not say that.
Q-Generally speaking, is it not an understood thing that competition brings out
a man's abilities more ?
A-It depends upon whether the man looks upon the work from an artistic point of view or not.
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