Volume 1

Second report.

  • Great Britain. Royal Commission on the State of Large Towns.
Date:
1845
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Second report. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    48/518 (page 36)
    Appointment of officers. 30 Second Report. proof of the correctness of these views.* The construction of such works, being commonly considered as incapable of improvement by the application of scientific principles, is frequently intrusted to the most incompetent and inefficient persons. These, again, are under the control and direction of bodies equally unskilled, and constantly changing. The works are consequently executed without any attention to economy, and without the slightest regard for the future wants of the districts. The needless expenditure of money thus caused is afterwards exhibited by the alterations and amendments rendered necessary. All local works of im- provement should be planned, and their execution superin- tended, by a person having a competent knowledge of en- gineering. New subjects, connected most closely with the general health of the community, are now constantly attract- ing the attention of persons engaged in works of construction. The importance of the questions of ventilation and warming having been fully established by recent investigations, parti- cularly demands the attention of the architect and engineer. The important duties, which may in future devolve upon the officers charged with the construction of works, and the large discretionary power that must be vested in them, will un- doubtedly render it necessary to establish some mode of test- ing the competency and qualifications of persons offering themselves as candidates to fill such situations. Some as- surance should be given to the public that the persons in- trusted with these responsible duties are properly qualified.t By the Act for Regulating Buildings in the Metropolis, can- didates for the office of district surveyor are required to undergo an examination, and their appointments are subject to the approval of the Secretary of State. These appear to be principles that may be beneficially extended. The duties are, however, all of a kind which calls for the same acquirements of professional knowledge, and an ac- quaintance with them would be found combined in any person properly educated in these respects. One such officer may, therefore, easily superintend the execution of the several duties to be placed under the direction of the local adminis- trative body. Among other important advantages of such an arrangement, it will afford the opportunity of obtaining the * First Report, Evidence of Mr. Biers, vol. ii. p. 282 ; Mr. Bratt vol. ii. p. 308; Mr. Hickson, vol. ii. p. 232.