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Q--But you do not say that they overwork themselves?
A-I would not say so.
By Mr. Thurburn.--If the Government gave you the work instead of doing it themselves, you would be quite capable of doing it in just as good a way as they do it now?
A-From my professional experience, and I have acted as Director of Public Works pro. tem., nearly twenty years ago in this Colony, and with the additional twenty years' experience in private practice, I think I could do the work as efficiently as the Public Works Department. My office has to be worked as a department just the same as the Public Works Department. I have nearly as big a staff.
Q-It would be more expensive for the Government if they put it in your hands?
A-No, I do not think so. It is universally done with almost all works at home. One would never hear of a Waterworks or Law Courts being done departmentally; it is always given out now.
Q-But they would have to pay your commission?
A-Yes, they would have to pay my commission.
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Q-And by that amount it would be more expensive?
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A-It would relieve the Department of that amount of work, the architect is sup- posed to get a fair remuneration for his work, but it means relieving the Public Works Department of that amount of work.
Q-Aud it must relieve the staff accordingly?
A-Yes, unless the staff is overmanned, which I do not think it is at present, as it is evident to me they cannot cope with the work--the heads of the Department cannot. By Mr. Master.-Take the Law Courts-can you erect such a building as that at a less cost, including your commission, than the Government can?
A-I think we could,
Q--Could you give me the percentage? Say, the Government is a hundred, what would yours be?
A--I do not think I could guess; it would vary with different works.
Q--What makes you say you could do that work, including your commission, at less outlay than the Government would have to pay ?
A-I think that is the case all the world over.
Q-Would the contractors give a better rate?
A-I think they would give us a better rate; it is so even amongst our profession -that some firms can get a better rate than other firms both working on the same specification.
Q-Always?
A-Yes.
Q-Is it your opinion that it is impossible for the Director of Public Works to attend to all the business he ought to attend to?
A-I say it is quite impossible.
Q-And the Assistant Director of Public Works, Mr. TOOKER-is it impossible for him to do all that he ought to do?
A-I really do not know the exact work Mr. TOOKER has to do. He holds the same position as I came out to. The ordinary work has increased since then, but what
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