AMAZING LAXITY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 11126, 27 July 1907, Page 1 (Supplement)

AMAZING LAXITY.

The revelations at the Hammersmith Workhouse enquiry become more and more amazing. The architect of this costly pile for paupers was under examina- • tion just before the last mail left England. His attention was- drawn to the fact tliat a turret with a clock had been erected at a- cost of £1000, and he declared that lie was absolutely justified m spending tl«e money, ihe roof oi the turret was covered with £500 worth of copper, "to keep tlie clock right," and make it last for all time. The windows of the dining-room were of tinted glass at 4s a foot, the total cost being £650. Why did he not use glass at a shilling a foot and save £486? No answer was given. I Tiling was done at 30s a yard, whereas that at the Trocadero, a fashionable London restaurant, cost 17s. Fifty porcelain baths were purchased. Tlie explanations | wa s tliat enamel wore off. "But dosen't porcelain split?" "Not the best porcelain." I "And nothing but the best porcelain is I suitable for the lucky inhabitants of Hamj mersmith Workhouse. You paid tliree times as much for baths ifor the paupers as the small householder— the man who pays for t be paupers — can afford to spend upon a Ibath for himself." The expense of laying a foundation stone of this palatial workhouse came to £836, the oill for which was passed by the architect. Needless. to say champagne was on tap wlien the building of this paupeis' palace was begun. Asked if lie let the guardians think — and through them the local Government Board— that the amount had been expended on the (building and formed part of a sum ifor whicli a loan could be properly raised,* the architect replied that it was shown m detail m the accounts, ihe Inspector: "Tlie item was to be buried somewhere m the accounts?" The witness : "Yes, that is so." It appears that alterations to the extent of £62,655 were carried out by the Board of Guardians. Implied authority was given him to do what he thought necessary, and the guardians paid the) contractors on his certiiiicates without having detailed account* before them.