MANCHESTER STREET BBIDGE.

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 144, 21 May 1885, Page 3

MANCHESTER STREET BBIDGE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAB. Sib,— Will you allow me a little space to state truly the circumstances of the case re compensation for Manchester street bridge, as there is a very wrong impression on the minds of tome regarding it. It is simply this : The Council did an illegal action in determining my contract. When they could see this, they appointed a deputation, consisting of the then Mayor, H. L. SherwilL and Councillors Carthew and Fowles, to wait upon me and see if they could not come to some amicable arrangement whereby the jpork could be proceeded with by me \and, Sir, I contend this was an admission of their error), I waited on the deputation above mentioned, and after some argument I agreed to go on with the work. Before I signed the paper undertaking to proceed with the work I said, "Well, gentlemen, do you not think I am entitled to some compensation?" Mr Sherwill made answer and said, " Yes." The others nodded their heads in answer to that "Yes," thereby pledging themselves to that "Yes." Well, Sir,. to use a common phrase, they are too thinskinned to stand the bumpings of Council life, and they retire from the Council. They do not leave the stroke of a pen nor a word of any sort to guide the Council in their action re compensation, and consequently when the bridge . is completed they ignore any claim; "whatever, or any liability, either morally or legally. Now, Sir, how they can come to such a conclusion lam at a loss to imagine when I send in a note signed by the deputation that they consider me entitled to some compensation at the hands of the Council, they having been elected by that Council to make the arrangements with me. This being the case I fail to see their non liability. I think as the world advances in knowledge morality seems to degenerate, so in this case they cast morality aside to suit their own views, and to some of those who are there it certainly does not make their light to shine very bright. I believe I could gain my case in a court of law, but will be satisfied with the publication of this, with this warning to myself — Black and white in tlie future. — lam, &c, W. Hammond, Contractor.