CORRESPONDENCE.

Cromwell Argus, Volume I, Issue 26, 11 May 1870, Page 5

CORRESPONDENCE.

[We do not hold ourselves responsible iot tho opinions expressed by our correspondents.] [advertisement. ] THIS is the letter which was not published in the Wahatip Mail as boing too personal, and which I now publish by request in the columns of the Cromwell Abgus, so that the Lake public may judge for themselves. Queenstown, D. Foksyth, May 6, 1870.. Builder. TENDERS. [To the Hditor of the Wakatip Mail. ) Sir, —" Live and Lot Live" is a true maxim that takes a fine polish and lasts a long time ; but believe me, I never thought that 1 should live to see the day again when tenders would bo called for with a clause inserted binding tho contractor to buy their nails at a certain shop, but upon going to look at the specifications for building a Presbyterian manse at Prankton, with a view of contracting for the same, I find a elaus 3 inserted binding the contractors to buy all nails and iron required for the job from Mr B ,of Queenstown. And not only that: they take a, shaving from the contraotor by deducting Mr B 's bill from amount of contract when the contractors have a settlement. A proceeding so novel appears to me quite opposed to tbe spirit of contracting, which I presume means buying cheap. lam quite " unhinged" by this conduct. If I tender, it will "screw" tho price up considerably, as I know by experience Mr B is not the cheapest or best market for nails or ironwork generally. I further think such exclusive dealings are not justifiable when speuding moneys collected from the general public of the district. If this is the spirit by which the Manse Committee are influenced, I must say it is a mean one, and prohibits others living in different parts of the district from tendering. Of course such conduct fully explains the large amount of bickering that recently took place with tho contractors of the church here who had their ironwork done by Mr B- and not Mr B now chosen. Yout being the recognised guardian of the disirict ia the reason you are asked to publish the above, as showing something like an unfair principle to yours, &c, " Chips. " Queenstown, May 2.

We have been requested to state that Mr W. J. Barry will offer for sale by auction on Wednesday next (after the sale of Mr Roborts'd cattle) a splendid lot ol hacks and draught horses,