The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, MAY 11, 1911.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3215, 11 May 1911, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING . THURSDAY, MAY 11, 1911.

One of the most important questions which arose in con-

How Should the Work Be Done?

' nection with the Alayoral contest, it will be recalled, was

as ,to whether contract or day labor is the better system under which to complete the sewerage works. As * well known, day labor is the rnetli ,•! which has been employed up to the present time, but with a view to changing the system the late Council decided to call for tenders as regards the large amount of the work which still remains to be done. It will also be remembered' that there was no other question upon which the views of the two aspirants for the position were more at variance. Whilst Mr. Lysnar contended that it would l mean a heavy monetary loss to the ratepayers if the contract system were not adopted—and in this regard! was fortified by the opinion of Mr. Marehanti, tli© consulting engineer—Air. Sheridan, on the; other hand, averred that a conversation which he had just had with Air Morton, Engineer to the City of Wellington, had converted him to the belief that day labor was .the superior system in the case of works of the kind. For our own part we held that it was highly desirable having regard to the local conditions that the balance of the work should be done by contract-. No doubt big works have in numbers of instances been satisfactorily undertaken in large centres under the' day labor system. But it must be borne in mind that- important corporations are- at no disadvantage! as regards equipment. More than that they have a much wider field of labor ,from which to draw suitable workers. It is also a fact that in large boroughs there is, or should be no lack of efficient supervision. Provided that high class materials are used, and there is adequate inspection, it will we think bq- surprising if the carrying outof the sewerage works is therefore not only much less costly but also quite- as well done under the contract system. It is probably the case that many residents have been swayed l by the views of Mr. Paterson, who: favors the- day labor sys-\, tern, but would tlie Borough Engineer seriously dispute the contentions which we have set forth ? 'Contract vers 14 s day labor lias, it may be mentioned, also

been the ■ subject of ...keguß, controversy lately-in' a. number of- other-towns in this country. - From Napier, for instance, comes word that the Borough Engineer, Mir. Sturrcck, has supplied his council with a valuable' report on the subject. “Personally,” lie says, “I am decidedly in favor of contract method's.” He goes on to- say that under the contract .method it is known before the work commences' wihat it is going to cost. Ain estimate from an engineer, although useful, binds no one, whereas a contractor’s offer is definite, and, with proper sureties, affords a guarantee. Then again, under contract methods the work will probably cost less. The contractor’s profits are easily spent under the day labor system in the- wages- of superintendents, clerks, etc. It is also, the case that under the contract system there are no- plant, tools and machinery to purchase. The contractor possesses these, whereas under the day labor system a corporation must purchase plant, tools, and-, machinery, etc., upon which thei’e must be a loss when-the works arc completed. This loss' does not -apply to- the contractor’s operations, as lie can use- the plant over and over again in other works. Dealing -with the staff that can lie employed, Mr. Sturrock says that under the contract system there can be no political or social interference with the workmen selected. A contractor can choose the men- who have had experience regardless of where they come from. This ensures efficiency, and it is only fair to the ratepayer that- they should get the work done at the lowest cost compatible with good workmanship. Among other things he proceeds to say that under the contract system there is no reason why the- work should not be as well done- as by day labor methods, provided! the engineer is determined to. enforce good, workmanship and provided the council will support the decisions of the- engineer. It is also his opinion that' under the contract system a work will probably take less time to complete. It pays a contractor to put on a large body of men and- push the work through. Under day labor methods it is often difficult to get this done. Then again under the contract system the office staff does not require to be so large as for day labor methods. It is also of interest to’ note that Mr. 'Sturrcck believes that under the contract system the work is carried out much more harmoniously, provided the contractor is satisfactory. There are fewer criticisms- and gratituous advice from parties who have nothing to do with the work. Further advantages claimed for the contract system are that under it the grave risks attending the construction of deep sewers in water-logged strata are undertaken by the contractor, who has probably had! experience in similar work. Under the clay labor system these risks have to be undertaken by the corporation. Contract methods, it is further stated, are almost invariably followed for similar works in Europe and America. There -long experience in these works has! amply proved that contract methods are best. Referring in particular to the day labor system Mr. Sturrock avers that under it there is a certainty that the work will be done well. This is (he says) about the only advantage one can admit, hut there is, on the other hand, no reason why the work should not be equally well done by contract methods under rigid supervision. He also points out that under day labor local workmen get the preference. This is, in his opinion, a very doubtful advantage. As a business proposition the best men should be clicsen regardless of locality. This is only fair to the ratepayers. He concludes: ‘‘Day labor methods are sometimes satisfactory for “repeat” work, such as turning out paving blocks, concrete piles or other similar work where a large plant is not required, and where- but little experience- is required, and there are no risks and difficulties to contend with.” On the ground that there were no risks envoi ved, and that the work was simple. Mr. (Sturrock it should be mentioned recommended the Napier council that the cast iron rising main, and the air mains should be carried out. by day labor but he declared that the sewers and all other works should be carried out by contract. With such an excellent report before them the Napier council, although a number were pledged to the Labor platform in this regard, decided to proceed with works by day labor only where practicable.