D.—26

1892. NEW ZEALAND

ERECTION OF NEW FENCE, PARLIAMENT HOUSE GROUNDS.

Return to an Order of the House of Representatives dated Ist September, 1892. Ordered, "That a return be laid before tins House giving the information requested below in relation to the erection of the new fence on Parliament House grounds: (1) The total cost of erecting such fence, including the posts which had to be discarded in consequence of such being too short, and also the labour employed on same; (2) the number of posts which were found to be too short, and the value of such timber; (3) the cost of the labour unproductively employed on same (4) the cost of timber (other than the posts above alluded to) and other materials, such as nails, &c, used in the erection of said fence, each item to be detailed separately; (5) the number of days that carpenters or other workmen were employed on such fence (other than the abortive work above alluded to), and the rate of wages paid to each class of workmen, each to be detailed separately; (6) a detailed statement of the nature and cost of any other expense in connection with the erection of such fence."—(Mr. Fish.)

Eetden showing —(1) The Total Cost of the Erection of the New Fence on Parliament House Grounds, including the Posts which had to be discarded in consequence of such being too short, and also the Labour employed on same, (2) the Number of Posts that were found to be too short, and the Value of such Timber, (3)* the Cost of the Labour unproductively employed on same , (4) the Cost of Timber (other than the Posts above alluded to) and other Materials, such as Nails, &c, used in the Erection of said Fence, each Item being detailed separately, (5) the Number of Days that Carpenters or other Workmen wore employed on such Fence (other than the Abortive "Work above alluded to , and the Eate of Wages paid to each Class of Workmen, each being detailed separately, and (6) a Detailed Statement of the Nature and Cost of any other Expense in connection with the Erection of such Fence. £ s. a. 1. Total cost of the erection of the fence .. 178 9 10 2. The number of posts that were found too short, and the value of the timber comprised therein .. Nil* 3. The cost of labour unproductively employed thereon Nil 4. The cost of the materials used in the erection of the fence 79 18 5f 5. The period of time that carpenters and other workmen were employed, and the rates of wages paid— (a.) Carpenters—B32 hours at Is. 4d. per hour, or 104 days at 10s. Bd. per day 55 9 4:|: (b.) Labourers —527 hours at Is. Ofd. per hour, or 65J days at Bs. 6|d. per day 28 2 1J ■6. Other expenses in connection with the erection of the fence, viz.— Painting (by agreement) ~ 15 0 0 H. J H. Blow, Public Works Office, Under-Secretary for Public Works. Wellington, 29th September, 1892.

* In the original estimate provision was not made for posts of sufficient length, but in ordering the timber posts of the required length were obtained and no timber was wasted. f Schedule giving details attached hereto. J Carpenters are paid at the rate of £3 per week for forty-five hours' work, and labourers at the rate of £2 Bs. per week for forty-five hours' work.