THE HARBOR BOARD.

Evening Star, Issue 4314, 23 December 1876, Page 2

THE HARBOR BOARD.

A special meeting was held this forenoon. The Engineer, after analysing the tenders and showing that those of Messrs Henderson and Fergus for Method No. 2, and Maekay and Co., according to the latter's own plan, were informal, went on to say—“ It will be seen from the above that the tenders of Mr David Proudfoot are lowest for the four methods of disposal of material and concomitant works. The difference between his highest and lowest, viz., L 106.200 and L 88.950 respectively, is only L 16.250. It, therefore, is a question for consideration whether in the event of the Board’s agreeing to undertake the work by contract, the reclamation tender would not be the most judicious one to accept. To reclaim the some areas provided for under method No. 4, with material obtained under the most favorable circumstances in and about Dunedin, would certainly cost not less than 2s per cubic yard. The contents of channel excavation, viz., 1,000,000 yards, calculated at this rate, would accordingly amount to a little over LIOO.OOO, or a total cost by accepting the cheapest tender of close upon L 190.000. As to the advisability or otherwise of accepting a tender, I leave that matter entirely in the hands of the Board, While feeling convinced that the channel and reclamation works could be more economically executed by day labor than the amount specified in the lowest tender shows, the Board may be desirous of being relieved of responsibility in the matter of purchase of plant and machinery, in addition to that of knowing what the responsibility financially will bo.”

The Board went into committee, and on resuming On the motion of Mr Tewsley, it was agreed—- “ That the tenderers be requested to state a lump sum for which they would be prepared to carry out Method No. 4 minus the half-tide wall. Reply not to be later than Wednesday next, at noon." Mr Tewsley moved —“ That Mr Roid and himself be authorised to wait on Mr Carruthers and arrange that he shall he asked to sanction the plans and specifications, with a view to the. interests of the Board being protected.”—Agreed to.