, 1876-08-30

G~GSNS w. 49, - NA'1A'6
thing may be done for ST more or less, does
not appear 10 fall within the reasonable scope Of
serious official business. The cheaper way of
having a work done, is not always the most
economical the instance with Mt. Victory
where The repairs done some short time ago re-
qliro now to be done over, is a proof. But be-
cause the Administration is not bound always to
follow the sugg stioDs Of the Committee, it does
MT follow that tbs Committee is of no use.
80 Member for Frederikstcd's Country Dis
trict (Latimcr) had, as che Of tie Members Of
The Building Committee examined the School
buildings at Mt. Victory he had got the
Teacher to accompany him and to sbew him
what was required it was found that less than
half the sum put down in the estimate would
be amply sufficient for what was required.
Now, he could not see by he had been appoin-
ted by the Council as Member ofthe Building
Committee, if he has to vote for everything
and to recommend everything that is proposed,
although his own commOn sense tells him it is
unnecessary or extravagant. If the Committee
fad that a work can be done for 81, which is
estimated to cost IS is the Committee to say
81, or to keep still? If that wero not it's duty.
he could not sec the use Of the Members going
around aud looking after the matter. He must
entirely object to the view taken by His Elk.
c|cllency. The Members Of the Commit ee
appointed by the Council to 60 through the
estimates OF building repairs arc practically
competent mon he would not say they could
be expected to he as competent rs the Building
Inspector il framing pans Tor castles or fortlh-
cations aid tho ike, OF in making drawings /;
but those men are far mo;e competent than
the Inspector to give an opinion Of the just aud
fair prices fot work and for materials, having
every day experience in such matters.-He
thinks that the Council is very much indebted
to the Chairman for the Information given to-day
from which it appears that II the Council grant
$500 fer unforeseen repair, the expense is
likely to reach $500 from. which it would seem
to follow that if We vote $500, the expense will
be 81, 900, or upwards, and 50 on. But if any
amount whatever may bo used, it is superfuous
for the Council to give 6 grant. Rather place q GER
tain sum at disposal, and say that must suffice;
if more must be used, additional grants
should be- obtained.
The Chairman should wish to see che dispute
concerning the duties Of the Building Commit
tee ended the Committee is appointed by the
Council, not by tho Presidency SO that if the
Presidency is not pleased with the Oommittee's
work, that does not shew that the Committee
is supe,fuous and does not satisfy the wishes OF
the Council and the Council appoints the
Committee for the purpose Of not only examin-
ing what works and repairs are necessary, bus
also to look after whether the sums proposed for
tue works and repairs are reasonable or not
when doing so, therefore, the Building COMMITTEES
is doing Just what it was to do and just whaG
the Council wants; and nothing has hitherto
transpired from the Council to shew that the
Committee is considered nol to fulfil its duty
to the Council. On the other hand it must be
admitted that when the Administration acts on
the advice of the official who is paid for the
business and to save tho Administrator from
going into details, it is natural, that it should be
more inclined to follow the opinion of that oh-
cial the alterations proposed this year by
the Committee are however so small, that It
could not affect the working of the Adminis'
tration in the least if they be adopted they are
hardly worth discussing, and it becomes clearly
matter of taste which opinion should be followed.
When the 3rd Member for Frederiksteds Coun.
try District (Latimer) thinks that there Is no
use of a Committee, because if 5000 are voted
for excess of estimates and unforeseen repairs,
the expenditure still reaches $500, from which
he argues that if $500 were granted, $1,000
would be used, 1t must not be overlooked that
this item covers two purposes viz that OF
covering possible excess of estimates for the
special works, and also that of defraying On.
foreseen works in the course of the year works
on which consequently at present the Commit
tee can have no opinion and the last oolecs
is the most important. If under the unfore-
seen works could be supposed to be hidden