Breakwater Construction.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 280, 30 March 1889, Page 3

Breakwater Construction.

[TO THE EDITOR.) Sib, —I urn sorry thzt the contract question had to be postponed. Every meeting lost is two weeks nearer the winter, when of course work on the breakwater is practically at a standstill. The whole of the controversy upon this question resolves itself, in my opinion, into a nutshell. Several aide issues have been introduced, such as the lowering of wages, risks of contractors, unstability of work, and the like. So far as the Board is concerned it has nothing to do with these side issues, nor has it any right to anticipate anything of the kind. The sole duty of the members is to obtain for the ratepayers the best possible work at the lowest possible price. It is not for the Board to dictate to contractors, farther than is customary in specifications, how much they shall allow for emergencies, how much wages they shall pay or in what manner they shall carry out the work. A time is specified for the completion of each section, and the materials and manner of construction are laid down, and the contractor's duty is to get thia work finished in that time and that it shall be satisfactory in other respects to the inspecting officer. If the contractor suffers a loss that is his look out; if he makes a large profit it will be no doubt owing to his good management more than his good luck. As for wages, it may be depended upon that he will nut get ordinary fair labor without paying a fair day’s wage, so that no laborer is likely to suffer. And again with regard to emergencies, or contingencies as they are technically called, is not the Board □st as liable to them as any contractor would re ? On the whole I think you will find contract work cheaper, more expeditious and more satisfactory than the ordinary redtapeism which is ever in terror of incurring a few shillings expense however urgently needed. Boards you will find are very parsimonious, and not always averse to hauling their officers over the [coals for what may appear to them (the Boards) as an excess of duty, such as an anticipation that expenditure will be authorised. This jealousy tells with the public. The contractor has no qualms of conscience but acts on the knowledge that when so much work is complete so much per osnt. is certain.—l am, etc.,