COLONEL WALKER (for Mr. HOPWOOD)asked the First Commissioner of Works, Whether the building of the Courts of Justice is progressing satisfactorily, considering the public importance of its early completion; whether any date has been fixed by which it is to be finished; and, whether any indulgence, by extension of time or otherwise, has been granted to the contractor on account of disputes with his men or for any other reason?
§ MR. GERARD NOELSir, I regret I cannot assure my hon. Friend that the Courts of Justice are progressing satisfactorily, for there are portions of the building which should by this time be completed, and they are not completed. The date for the entire completion of the contract is August 7, 1880. The contractors will be entitled to extension of time under the strike clause of their contract; but no indulgence on account of disputes with their workmen has 323 hitherto been granted to them. The contract, is, however, in two parts—the one regarding works to be completed by the 9th of August, 1879, the other concluding the contracts as stated above. A short indulgence of nearly three months, on account of frost and stress of weather, has been granted in respect of the first part.