§ The various alterations and improvements made during the past year for the purpose of obtaining a firmer and more reliable hold over Dockyard Expenditure have begun to realize satisfactory results. The rapidity of construction shown in the advance of the iron-clad "Trafalgar" has rivalled, if not beaten, the best record in private shipbuilding yards, and other ships building are being pushed on with almost equal celerity. A great reduction has also been effected in the cost of building and repairs, and the incidental expenditure—that is, the annual outlay which hitherto has not been charged direct to any special service, has not only been curtailed, but under new forms of account, by which every item is brought to book, will continue to decrease.
§ The reform of any great Government establishment, where the traditions and usages of many generations have established unwritten regulations not always in accord with the rules of the controlling authorities, must necessarily be a work of gradual development and attended with constant hostile criticism. Discharge of redundant establishments and abolition of useless offices and the introduction of stricter supervision and check over expenditure and work must annoy the personal interests so touched. But the general result of the operations during the past two and a-half years has been so remarkable and so encouraging that, even at the risk of going into tedious details, I feel it my duty to bring them out into clear relief. It is due to the Controller of the Navy and the officers who have unflinchingly adhered to the policy of reform which they themselves inaugurated, that the magnitude of the service they have rendered should be known.
§ A large programme of work and advancement was last year estimated for in work and money. The programme has in work almost been realized, but in every case where the progress is below the estimate the delay has been entirely due either to the failure of private shipbuilders to keep to the dates promised for delivery of ships, to their inability to pass the specified steam trials, or to the non-delivery of promised guns.
§ If the estimate of work has been maintained, except where outside causes interfered, the estimate of cost has been largely diminished.
-
cc907-9
- SAVINGS UPON ORIGINAL ESTIMATES. 554 words c909
- NEW FORM OF ESTIMATE FOR SHIPS TO BE BUILT. 127 words cc909-11
- INDEPENDENT RECORDERS OF WORK. 103 words c911
- ECONOMY IN EMPLOYMENT OF SHIP'S ARTIFICERS TO REMEDY DEFECTS. 134 words c911
- INCIDENTAL EXPENDITURE. 30 words c911
- EMPLOYMENT OF DOCKYARD HANDS UPON CASUAL WORK. 326 words cc911-3
- PROGRESS MADE TRUE TEST OF SHIPBUILDING PROGRAMME. 197 words cc913-4
- CONCLUSIONS TO BE DRAWN FROM THE PAST. 433 words