What is the Game?

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 257, 7 February 1889, Page 2

What is the Game?

A MOLE ON THE SUBJECT. Ito the editor.] Sin,—ln your last issue ”An Outside Csntractor ” asks 11 What is the game?” speaking in reference to the Harbor Board’s contract for the supply of stone. Now I would respectfully ask “ What does he mean ?” I care not for Messrs Bonnett and Shelton, or the Engineer, or their or hisfobjects, but with their support or without it, I persist that the principle of contracting should be adhered to in all Harbor Board or any other public works. An Outeida Contractor goes on to say that all these works depend upon the Engineer, upon whoso harsh or lenient judgment a difference of hundreds of pounds may bs made to the contractor, Assuming this is the case, and I do not see why it should be so, would not the thing he much worse when it ia in the hands ofjprivate contractors ? I doubt if it is legal for the Board to continue the present arrangement, If tenders are publicly called there is nothing to prevent Mr McLeod putting in n tender at a price that will pay—and his past experience ought to be a good guide to him in that respect—and anyone who does happen to put in too low, as An Outside Contractor seems 'o fear they will, has only himself and his sureties to blame. If your correspondent had called himself An Inside Contractor, I think he would have been more truthful. The Board has been altogether too lax in these matters, and it is time there was a change ot front, Ii the new members of the Board can stop this " corner" business they will have done a great service,—lam, etc,,