WATERWORKS CONTRACT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2309, 30 September 1908, Page 3

WATERWORKS CONTRACT.

A SERIOUS POSITION. SUPPLY TO BE CUT OFF.

After tho Borough Council had considered tho proposal to raiso >n loan for street -making purposes last ovoning,

Tho Mayor mentioned that there was an important letter from Mr. It. Hay <>n tho water -works contract, but Councillors woro not disposed to discuss tho question as tho hour was l-ito. Councillors, howevor, stayed, and tho following letters were read by the Clark:

“-Dunedin, Sept. 23, 1908. “Tho Town Clerk, Gisborne. “Dear Sir,—l regret to inform you since my return to Dunedin that- I havo been almost continuously laid ii(), and my health is very much worse, so much so, that tho doctors ordered ,mo a comploto rest from work or worry or excitement of any kind, and I lrnvo accordingly boon refusing all work. I havo, of course, been thinking over somo moans to got tho Spiral Company’s contract completed, and 1 think tho most satisfactory for your Council would bo to -name some reasonable sum that I could pay over to them to moot tho cost o'f supervision ; I foregoing any further payment that would come duo to me on completion of works. Tho contractors propose to push the work through quickly when they start, and should bo finished in -a couple of months alter they re-commonco. Tho delay in completion has been an -unfortunate think for mo, and 1 trust your Council will afford me tho consideration thoy have so uniformly accorded mo in tho past. Mr. AYyks has had considerable experience in pipe work, -and would, I think, give tho work efficient supervision. I cannot say how much X regret my inability to c-irry on your work, and nothing but my -unfortunato state of health lias prevented me seeing it through.— Yours faithfully, R. HAY.”

“Wanganui, Sopt. 25, 1908. “\V. D. Lysnar, Esq., “Mayor, Gisborne. “Dear Sir, —Referring to ours of the 17th inst., enclosing copy of repeated request m-idc to Mr. Hay for working plans, Mr. Hay has replied shortly as follows: ‘Gisborne Contract. —I have yours of the 17th inst., and note that you havo appealed to the Council, and have communicated with them accordingly.’ You will see Mr. Hay does not state whether lie will furnish tho plans or not. Wo beg to advise your Council that wo are willing and anxious to restart tho works on the Ist proximo. Wo must, however, havo working plans from your engineer. In many places the original site of the pipes has practically disappeared. It is unreasonable to expect us to proceed without plans. We again repeat their absence leads (and has already led) to unpleasant disputes-and recrimination. Our men are all ready to bo sent immediately we arc in possession of tlie plans. In the meantime we are embarrassed, and will he subjected to loss by their absence from Ist proximo. We made a request for them, as you are aware, on the Bth April, and again on tho 13th Juno last. We desire to assure your Council that we have -no wish to cause friction or unpleasantness. The Hood disaster was a serious one, which wo are willing and anxious to repair in terms of our letter to your engineer of the Stli April. Will your Council -please expedite tho matter and advise us by telegram on receipt of his how soon wo may expect to re coivo working plans.—Yours faithfully, THE M/FERGUSON SPIRAL STEEL PIPE CO., LTD. “Per A. Hat-rick.”

Tho Mayor said the water works contract was not in a satisfactory condition. Mr. Hay was not well enough to provide tho contractors with plans, and the position was peculiar. When the contract was resumed the water would bo cut off from the town for two or three months so as to allow tho work t 0 be carried out in a permanent manner. It was difficult to know what to do, and lie suggested, that the leters be referred to the Finance Committee. Cr. Sheridan suggested that a telegram be sent to Mr. Hay asking him why lie did not- supply tho plans when he was asked to do so. The Mayor said that no new plans had been, (authorised. Cr. Sheridan: Well, then, why not tell the contractors that the original plans must bo adhered to. Air. Hay offers to send a man to supervise tho work, or offers to allow the Council to appoint a man, Cr. Bright moved that tho Council regrets to learn of the state of Air. Hay’s healhj but recognising the position, tho contract is now m, cannot seo its way to relieve Air. Hay from responsibility to see the water works contract duly completed. The Council suggests that Air. Hay, whilst retaining the position of engineer, and its corresponding liability to the Council, be permitted to appoint spun! engineer of repute to act on his belialx to seo to tho completion of the work. The motion was carried. Cr. Darton moved that tho contractors be called upon to complete the work in accordance with the plans already furnished by Mr. Hay. Cr. Sheridan seconded the motion. The Alayor thought the contractors should be referred to Air. Hay, who would ho instructed as Cr. Darton s motion stated. The Mayor’s suggestion was adopted, and the Council adjourned.