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The Chairman. Even plans that dont require any alteration?
A.-Yes.
Q-Plans that are in accordance with the law?
A.-Yes.
Q. Can you give us any idea about how long plans take at home?
A.-I dont remember, it is so long ago.
Mr. Shelton Hooper.-And also, in addition to that loss of time, haven't you anything to complain of about the time that elapses, after you have given notice to the Sanitary Board and Building Authority that a house is finished, before you get the certificate that will allow it to be occupied ?
A. Yes, constantly.
Q.
And do you think it has been unduly long?
A. Yes, certainly.
Q. And can you see any just cause or reason why it should be so?
A.-Not so long as they have the Officers.
Q.-Can you form any idea as to the cause? as an excuse for having kept you so long ?-
Have you ever had
any reason given you
A.-Nothing beyond the excuse that it has to be passed from one Department to an- other, and sometimes when you go to the Sanitary Board, they say the Public Works have it. And the Public Works say the Sanitary Board have it.
Q.--Now, is that not another reason for the amalgamation of these Departments, in which all your correspondence and everything would be conducted through the Secretary of the Board, and the certificate should be signed by the Secretary, by Order of the Board, or a Select Committee of the Board.
A. Yes.
Q.--And that would simplify things, and enable property to be occupied considerably sooner than it is to-day?
A.--Yes.
The Chairman.--It comes to this. Mr. Ram, that if a property owner is developing property, he has to wait a month or perhaps more in getting his plans passed, and he has to wait a month or perhaps more before it is passed as fit for occupation?
A.--Yes, he loses a couple of months, perhaps.
Q.--So therefore, if it takes 12 months to lay out a big property, it is 14 or 15 months before you get your certificate?
A. Yes.
Q. And it increases the cost of labour, and increases the cost of rental the tenant has to pay ultimately?
A.--Yes.
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