Harbor Board Matters.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 254, 31 January 1889, Page 2

Harbor Board Matters.

SUPPLY OF STONE At the last meeting of the Harbor Board, with regard to Mr McLeod's account tor ths supply of stone, Mr Shelton remarked on ths high price for delivering boulders, and eai I £BO was a large amount to pass fora fortnight’s delivery ot stone. The Engineer said they had not before been able to get anyone who would dear the beach, Mr Sbe’ton said that could bo provided far by the specifications—if they MuM get ths stone supplied by private tender they could have it done by public contract. Mr Chambers said they had had a lot of trouble over the supplying of atone, and they might do well to " let sleeping dugs lie." The Chairman said Mr McLeod could tender just the same. Mr Shelton asked whether it would not be better than the present arrangement to employ Mr 'McLeod at a weekly wage, Ho asked how many hands there were employed there?—were there more than four?

The Engineer said there were more- ho did not know how many, but thought about ten. In case fresh tenders were called for there would be some complications on account of extra work dona and expeare gone to by McLeod, io laying rails, etc. Mr Shelton: Ware not the rails supplied by the Board ? The Engineer: Yes, but ho has laid tltoht round the beach so as to get at the stone belter,

The Chairman: Surely ho was very unwise to do that ? The Engineer ; He has laid the temporary lines so as to clear.the beach, Mr Bennett: How long has Mr McLeod been at this work ? The Engineer: The matter was before the Board when they were in doubt as to what money there was on hand, and before it had been decided as to the £40,000, and it was left to me to get prices, as the Board did not care to lot by contract'.

The Chairman: That was a good reason at the time, but io no longer in existence. Now they knew they had money, the reason did not hold good. Ha thought tenders ought to be called tor. Mr Bennett said the difference between the firesent price and that ot Knox was very args. The Engineer said ths high price was for the big stone, ot which Knox did not deliver any—tha big boulders were cheapest, as leas cement was required with them, Mr Bennett pointed out that the price was more than double that ot Knox, taking even the small .tone, Ot course. Knox could not do It at the price, but the difference was very largo. Mr Shelton thought having the crane at work there was an advantage In loading the trucks with the big stone. The Engineer said there was a lot of trouble in catting it—contractors would only take the small stuff which was easily got at, end would not trouble aboat the big stuff. Mr Shelton did not see any difficulty in having that remedied by the specifications. After further discussion it was resolved that the Engineer should make a report at nut meeting, on the comparative cost ot the stone.