The Stone Contract.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 296, 9 May 1889, Page 2

The Stone Contract.

MORE TROUBLE.

Ar the last meeting ot the Harbor Board the following letter from Mr McLoughlin was read

Since taking over the contrast for supplying atone very great ob.taeles have been placed in my way, which I did not reckon upon. Since starting the contract I have had to knock off my hands on five different occasions for two hours each time, waiting for trucks, and now when it is seen that owing to the heavy surf I have bad the misfortune of having two chains of fascine embankment washed away twice in succession, your Engineer writes me word that he is going to put men and horses on to get stone at my expense on Monday. Since Wednesday last I have been detained, owing to sleepers and fastenings not being supplied. Had I been supplied with these articles, and not rough sea to contend with, I should have been enabled to complete the line to the island on Saturday last. For the past few days I may not have supplied the required quantity of stone, but that was owing to my having all the stone within reach of the crane, and as far as the line extended, all taken away. I immediately put on three teams of horses and have fifteen men employed, so that I have spared no expense in trying to keep up the supply of stone. I am fully aware that by the terms of the contract the Engineer has power to put men on, provided I have not conformed to my contract or been obstructed. I would also refer to the several stoppages made in my fortnightly payment, viz.; charging me for hauling waggons laden with fascines (loaded by my own men or subcontractor) to the works, the same waggons having to be taken down to be loaded jUa stone ; charging £5 for repairing two which I could have got done for £2 b*M tradesman in town ; and several other btw matters the same way, making a deduction of £l6 19s for the last two payments. Having shown that I feel aggrieved with the treatment I have received from some of the officers of your Board, I would respectfully ask that an enquiry he made Into the matters complained of. I a«k this so as to avoid conflict of any unpleasant nature with you- JBrard at this early s»age of my contract. Todiy your Engineer has intlma’ed to me that I was not short of sleepers. I beg to state th-t I was short, and to my loss" Engineer's report: On account of atone contractor only providing about half the quantity ordered for the past fortnight, we have been forced to put on thrae drays for the week, pending the Board taking ac'ion in the matter. I find it impossible to carry on the work with an insufficient supply. Ths men lost on an average nine houre each in a tortnight, equivalent to fifty days for one man. This does not represent the total loss, as we had to pick np all the refuse concrete and , loose atone lying about the yard or the last section would not have been finished yet. The Engineer read le tera he had addressed to the contractor. He complained of the shortness of supply, the quality of atone, and th<t proper care had not been taken of the Board's property. The contractor’s other assertions were also denial. The Chairman said it was a pity Mr McLoughlin did not make more distinct references as to who ware the officials of the Board referred to.

Mr Thomson (Engineer) said so far as ho was concerned they thought they had been doing everything they could for the con. tractor. He then read the letter ho had written to him.

The Chairman said as Mr McLoughlin's letter was of a later date than the Engineer's correspondence, he thought the request should be granted—and that Mr McLoughlin should formulate his complaints. It was resolved, on the proposition of Mr Townley, that a Committee of the whole Booed (three to form a quorum) sit at 3 p.m. to-day (Thursday, for the purpose of hairing Mr McLoughlin's charges, that gentleman and the Engineer to be present, a copy of the charges to be sent to Mr Thomson on Thursday morning.

The patriotism of the French people, eve* Vwhen their rebellious spirits are at a very high degree, might well be taken as a lesson fin partly different circumeiaaoes of Course) by New Zealand, The French League o! Patriots has decided to abstain from agitation during b« Ums the Inhibition is open,