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Q-With regard to the passing of plans sent in by you, have you experienced delays in that direction, as a rule ?
A-There have been delays, but probably, I candidly admit, in some cases it has been my fault or the fault of my office as much as the fault of the Public Works De- partment. I have never had any difficulty with the Public Works Department with regard to the passing of plans.
By Mr. Shewan. How long are plans delayed? How long is it before you get them back ?
A-I have sent plans and applications in, and they have come back in three or four days, and in other cases five or six weeks.
Q-There would be good reasons for them being five or six weeks ?
A-Yes.
Q-Have you found any delay in connection with applications for land?
A-Yes, I have sent in applications over and over again, and never had an official reply to them.
Q-You think that delay is quite unnecessary? A--I do.
Q-Would you delegate some of the work to some other man in the Department? A-In connection with applications such as I am referring to, if you had a special land surveyor, a properly qualified, experienced man to take charge of Crown land surveys and leases, I don't think a delay like those I refer to could occur.
In my opinion there ought to be a properly qualified officer with experience of land surveying and the issuing of leases, whose sole duty would be to take charge of that department. It is becoming a very important item-a very important consideration in the Colony. I don't mean a subordinate officer; I mean a good qualified man with a very handsome salary.
Q-Do you think he ought to be independent of the Director of Public Works? A--In the matter of land surveying, I think he ought to be. In other large colonies you will find that they have a surveying department-a land department detached quite separate from the Public Works Department.
Q-Any other delays, Mr. DANBY?
A-I can't recall any just now. The principal delays have been in the matter of applications for land. In the matter of buildings, if there has been anything wrong, probably I go up and see the Director of Public Works or his assistant, or they would probably come down and see me, and it was probably a question of six of one and half a dozen of the other. But, as regards complaints, I can't say really that I have any complaints.
By the Chairman.-Have these complaints in reference to land been recent, or have they existed for some time?
A-More or less for some time.
Q-How long would you say, roughly speaking?
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A-For the last three or four years.
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Q-There is another point I should like to ask you about. It has been suggested that it would be a good plan for the Government to let out its large works to private firms instead of undertaking them itself. What is your view on that subject?
A—I have never expressed an opinion except to Mr. CHADWICK, when he was here years ago.
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