DEFENCE COMMISSION.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 May 1918, Page 5

DEFENCE COMMISSION.

FITTING UP TRANSPORTS. l!y Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, April 30. Evidence relating to the work of fitting up the transports was given before tlie Defence Expenditure Commission today. Alex. Campbell, member of Campbell and Burke, contractors, Wellington, stated that when the Main Body was going away his firm was instructed to do extensive work on a cargo steamer to enable her to take 1500 meli and 580 horses. The job was carried out in 18 days, and cost £9llO. The Shaw-S'avill Company jnade the payment, and ,tJhe Government obtained a discount on all goods supplied. The chief officer checked tho work, but not the timber. That was to be done afterwards by a quantity surveyor, but there was no time for it to (be done. . The firm's next contract was in March, 1015. Their tender was accepted, and it was specified that they were making a profit only on the labor, the Government 'to get a discount on tllie goods supplied. The firm got about 3 per cent, on tho labor only. .The amount they received for that ship was £5890. The time was checked by Captain Bilton's staff.

For one job the firm supplied white pine timber at lis Gd per 100 ft, whereas the ruling price was 12s fid. On their first boat he estimated their profit at 10 per cent, on tlhe outlay. For another ship the firm received £6830. That work had to be <lono in 17 days, and was done in that time. The Government would have had to pay demurrage of £3OO per day after the expiration of 17 days. That joT> was a rush job. The firm's'last ship work also a rush job, was for £1417. It w»3 Easter holiday time, but, by employing their own men, a considerable saving was effected. In a certain case there was a double I check on the timber and a chefilc on the wages. The firm also built the hospital at Trentham at the time of the outbreak of cerebro spinal meningitis. Seventeen days were allowed, and the work, which was paid for by the Wai* rarapa people, was completed on timeThere was no time for tendering: The cost of the contract for the hospital and other work at Hotorua was £12,000. By using planing machines on board the ships the firm had saved the Government a considerable sum.

HIRE AND REPAIR OF TRANSPORTS. Wellington, Laßt Night. At the Defence Commission Major Nutsford, giving evidence regarding the hire and repair of transports, said the conditions lieTe were good, and the arrangements ,for repairs in New Zealand were also satisfactory. At Home repairs or alterations were undertaken at the direction of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, but it didn't appear as if economy, was studied in England as it was in New Zealand. The accounts for services rendered in the United Kingdom wero read by the High Commissioner without reference to New Zealand. He suggested that a special officer should be sent to England tu look after these matters.