1784
5
6
7
9
1790
1
2
3
( 139 )
Q-I only wish to bring out that at home there is a difference between the two professions, whereas, as you explain to us, that difference does not exist here in the same way, as firms, although they may be Civil Engineers, are accustomed also to carry out architectural work. And your opinion is that the local knowledge obtained here is so important with regard to the designing of buildings, and the carrying of them out, that any professional person living here must be at a great advantage as compared with those at home ?
Mr. Shewan.--Not only by his local knowledge, but by the convenience?
A-Yes.
By Mr. Shewan.--It is not only local knowledge, although that is a great thing?
A--No.
By the Chairman.--Is there any other point that would be of use to the Commission in its enquiries that you have not touched upon ?
A-No, except, if I might be allowed to say so, I think there is a great deal of time-talking about plans-a great deal of time wasted. I will not say wasted, but used up, carrying the plans backward and forward to the Sanitary Board. I do think it would be a great improvement if the Public Works Department and Sanitary Board were in one building. I do not know if that comes within the scope of the Commis- sion, but you can see there is a good deal of waste of time. The Medical Officer of Health puts a minute on the notice, and it comes back to the Public Works Depart- ment, and it goes then to the firm, and comes back again from it, and from one to the other, and that is responsible for a great deal of the delays.
Q-Your remedy for that is having the two offices under one roof?
A-Yes, or a municipality.
Q-Or a municipality?
A-Yes, to take charge of all municipal work.
Q-With regard to the inspection of buildings, you, I think, signed the letter which was sent in to Government by the Engineers and Architects in the Colony, mak- ing certain proposals. Your views on the subject are, I take it, embodied in that letter?
A-Yes.
By Mr. Shewan.-You said that you attended entirely to the Waterworks during the time you were in the Public Works Department?
A--Yes.
Q-Well, there are a great deal of complaints now about the water supply. What is your explanation ?
A-A failing on the part of the Government to keep up with the increase of population.
Q-In your opinion, the Government might have kept up by building more dams and reservoirs ?
A-Certainly.
Q-Is there any reason that you know of why they did not do it?
A-No.
Q-In your opinion, they neglected this?
A-I think they have neglected it.
271
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.