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Q-Is there any difficulty in securing that private work is properly looked after here ?
A-No, I don't think so. If the job is of sufficiently large extent, we get pro- perly qualified overseers and assistants.
Q-Then you have not experienced any difficulty in the matter of overseers in Hongkong?
A-Yes, with a certain class of overseers, we have. In the case of a big job we get our own special men out from home, the same as we have for Quarry Bay, and the same as we had for the Docks-not only overseers, but assistants.
Q-So far as quality of private work is concerned, it is just as good as Govern ment work?
A—I don't think Government work is any better, as a rule, than private work.
By Colonel Brown.-Supposing you undertake a large work in connection with the Public Works Department, under what form of agreement would you work for them ? I mean to say, would you prepare the whole design? Say, it was a new water supply scheme, and they handed it over to you, would you design it and work at it and carry it out ?
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A—In that case, I am assuming that some preliminary scheme has already been prepared, you get certain instructions as to the preliminary scheme, and it is left to you entirely. We instruct you to increase our water supply. Go further afield. How would you do it ? What would you suggest?" Suppose the work is entrusted to me, I would go further afield and draw up a scheme.
Q-You would take a contract?
A-1 would not take a contract. i am not a contractor; I am a civil engineer. 1 should have to submit a scheme to the Government giving them all particulars as to the gathering ground and the supply, submit detailed drawings along with it which the Government would forward to the Colonial Office for approval, and then, if appro- ved, supposing everything goes off smoothly, as it probably would do, go on with it.
Q-Then the Public Works Department would have to examine the scheme?
A-Of course, the Director of Public Works would really be the head, and we should be responsible to him.
Q-And they would have to examine it ?
A-It is just the same with similar works at home. You get a vote of money advanced for public works, and this work, although carried out by local engineers, is all done to the satisfaction of the Local Government Board.
Q-Do you think it would relieve the Director of Public Works of a good deal of
work?
A-He would be in the same position as an inspecting engineer, the same as Sir ROBERT RAWLINSON was at home. All reports and details and drawings had to be sent to him. In this case it would simply have to be the Director of Public Works. The Government must have a responsible man.
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Q-Including your commission and an extra man ?
A-You must have more than one extra man.
Q-Would it be cheaper?
A-I think so.
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