D.—lB.

1892. NEW ZEALAND

THE CO-OPERATIVE CONTRACT SYSTEM (MEMORANDUM BY THE ENGINEER-IN-CHIEF ON).

Laid on the Table by the Hon. Mr Seddon, with the Leave of the House.

The Hon. the Minister for Public Works. Having personally inspected most of the railway-construction works now being carried out under the co-operative contract system, and made careful examination from time to time of the various schedules of quantities and prices of the works contracted for, as well as of the charges for plant, material, and incidental expenses of management, I find that very satisfactory results are in all cases being obtained from, the introduction of this system of contracting for large railway works. The works already completed have been executed in a superior manner, and those in progress have so far been carried on upon systematic lines, so as to insure their satisfactory completion at a modsrate cost. As the prices fixed are estimated at ordinary fair contract rates, and the Engineers, Inspectors, and other officers ordinarily employed in the supervision of contract works undertaking all the duties of the contractors and their staffs, the saving in management alone will be a considerable item in the cost of the works. W H. Hales, Wellington, sth August, 1892. Engineer-in-Chief.

Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, not given; printing (1,160 copies) 15s.

By Authority: Geobge Didsbury, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB92. Price 3d.]