Q.-Have
185 (162) –
1715/6
you heard of a case much longer than that-three or four months?
A.-No.
Q-I have heard complaints of much longer periods, but still a fortnight is longer than half an hour.
A. Yes, but if there is delay, I call at the office and get the thing through quicker.
Q-Do you think there is anything gained by the Medical Officer of Health holding your plans? What does he know about plans?
A.-I think he looks for the open air spaces and so on.
The Chairman. But could an engineer not do that as well?
A.-Certainly.
Mr. Shelton Hooper.-Dont you think that an engineer would be able to grasp the plans, taking the elevations and sections, and deal with it quicker than a Medical,man?
A.-Certainly.
The Chairman. Some of these drainage plans have, I understand, to be passed by a certain sub-department.
A.-Drainage plans are usually passed very quickly. One gets plans for drainage passed more quickly than buildings.
Q.--I suppose a good deal of your contractors sublet, in the usual way ?
A. Yes.
Q-And for, so far as you are aware, no payment?
A. Yes.
Q. Have you ever heard from any of your contractors, or from the sub-contractors that, at any time, it was rather an advantage if you wanted your plans passed quickly, to pay money or make a present to anybody?
A.-Not as far as I am aware. I always get them through for the contractor.
Q.-And he sublets?
A. Yes.
Q.-And has he ever told you that he avoided delay by his paying some money?
A.-No, I think where an Architect is employed, things work smoothly, might happen where an Architect is not employed.
Such things
Q.-I understand from that, that an Architect is a check on any illegal demand that might be made on any Chinese contractor by a subordinate of the Government Service ?
A. Yes, I certainly think it would be prevented by the employment of an Architect
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.