Sessional_Paper_1902 — Page 334

200

( 106 )

1389

1390

1

3

4

5

6

7

9

1400

1401

Q--As a rule they receive no training?

A-As a rule they have no training, but we visit the works very constantly, say three times a week, and each particular day we say to the overseer-"Now, see that so and so is done; such and such a proportion of cement or lime goes in," and all he has to do is to attend to it.

Q--And the more expenditure on the overseer means a much higher degree of efficiency?

A--If you pay for a good overseer you get a much higher degree of efficiency. Q-How does the class of work vary?

A--Brickwork which is for Chinese houses we can get at a cheaper rate than we would get it for, say, the new Law Courts. Of course, the class of work does not compare. Q-Then I understand the Public Works Department is more exacting than you

are ?

A-Yes, I think they are, because they seem to want the same class of work for every job. They do not discriminate.

By Mr. Shewan.-You mean that in your dealings with these people you are more pliable?

work.

A-Yes. As far as I know, there is no variety in the class of Government brick-

Q-Do you think the Government employ too many of these highly-trained over-

seers?

A-I do not.

Q-Do

you think they are overburdened with good overseers ?

A-No, I do not.

Q-Do you think it would be an improvement if the Europeans in charge gave more attention to the work?

A-Yes, I think that if whoever was looking after the work was a sufficiently cap- able architect and devoted more time to it, it would be better.

Q-Do you mean these highly-trained overseers?

A-No, I do not.

Q-Then you think they really do better?

A-I think that the class of work, taken all round, is better.

Q-Would it not be dearer bringing these trained men from home than employing commoner overseers?

A-I think so; the difficulty is that the Director of Public Works has not the power of a private man looking after his own business. He cannot engage and discharge at a moment's notice. That is the only thing that gives us the whiphand of them. If we want a man cleared out who is not attending to his business, we say to him "You have to go." An overseer engaged on agreement from home cannot be discharged by the Director of Public Works in the way we can discharge our overseers.

Q-Do you think the Department of Public Works is an overworked Department?

A-As a Department, certainly it is. The higher officials have too much to do. Q-And is it your opinion that they overwork themselves?

A-I do not know about that. I merely judge by results.