ROAD BOARD TACTICS.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 3, Issue 215, 9 August 1878, Page 2

ROAD BOARD TACTICS.

To ike Editor of the Aharoa Mail

SißrrKindly allow me, through your valuable columns, to draw attention to the way in which contractors to the Akaros and Wainui Road Board are treated by that body. In December of last year I wae the eucceesful tenderer for the lower portion of the Long Day road, and as I was at that time, engaged on. a contract at Wainui, I was unable owing to that circumstance, and also on account of the scarcity of men (being harvest time) to commence the work at once. Now, Sir, it is generally an understood thing among local bodies on the Peninsula to chow a little leniency during the harvest season to their contractors, but I got none, as in February following I received notice that if I did not start the work at once, my deposit would be .forfeited, and in consequence of which I started my contract abe iv a week after. In March, I applied to the Board for the drain pipes required for the road, delivery of which I wae to take at the Road Board yards, Akaroa, and was informed that they had none on hand, but that they were expected by the first trip of the Antelope.' From that time until the 20th of May, on which date my contract was completed with the exception of laying the pipes, I kept on applying for the same at each meeting of the Board, always with the same result—they would arrive by the next boat. The loss to me has been something considerable, as I have been compelled to keep five men in my employ since the date named until the present time, as I did not suspect the Board of informing me wrongly. Judge of my surprise, however, when about three weeks ago, I was told that there was not a 9-inch drain pipe to be got in the whole of New Zealand. Now there was a nice fix to be placed in, as my specifications stated that my contract would not be complete until the pipes were laid, and in consequence I could not hand the road over ac completed.

Now, Sir, I bog to state that I knovfrom my own certain knowledge that there were plenty of that description of pipes to be obtained in Christchurch up to the end of May (nearly two months from the time I first applied for them), and at the present ti.ne they are to l»e obtained in any quantity in either Dunedin or Auckland, and still I am informed by the Board that there were none to he obtained in the whole of New Zealand. This fact I have ascertained by telegraph, as I made it my business to telegraph to the places named, as 1 thought the statement made that there were none to be got rather exaggerated. I should like to know from some of the members of that body what their motive could have been to endeavour to rain a man by compelling him to keep two miles of a new road on his hands during the winter months, all through their neglect,, or purpose, of not supplying the pipes when required. Surely the. contracts are taken cheap enough, then v/hy do they try to cripple their contractors by euch proceedings as the above ? Then, Sir, there is the matter of the fencing on the same road, but I ehall abstain from speaking of that at present, as it will ehortly be brought prominently before the public in the shape of a law suit.

Apologising for encroaching to such an extent upon 3 r our valuable space, I beg to subscribe myself, Sir, Yours, &c,

WILLIAM KENNY.