The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, APRIL, 9, 1891. The Loweest Tender

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 123, 9 April 1891, Page 2

The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, APRIL, 9, 1891. The Loweest Tender

-Some people have lately got the idea iuto.their hoads .that it is almost immoral for the Goverment or local bodies to accept " the lowest tender" for public works. The reason for this is not far to' seek. .Lately a few ignorant men have taken contracts below their estimated value, and when they found out their blunder have either bolted or judiciously filed. We will not attempt to dispute the un , pleasant fact, but still we contend that •cting work by. oontract is perfectly fair. There is neither concealment nor favoritism possible. The plans and specifications are prepared by a recognised and skilled expert; and, after having had the approval of an intelligent and probably experienced body of men (in the case for instance of Councils and. Road Boards) they ■are open for the examination of each intending contractor. - The latter has .every possible information afforded him, andjn the case of road- making he can look over and measure the ground for himself. If he makes an 'error through ignorance, carelessness, or because he will not admit his own ignorance and employ an expert to make out an estimate for him — then any loss he may make is his own affair. , In accepting the lowest ten- j der public bodies are only fulfilling their duty, and are, in 'our' opinion, j doing "nothing but what is right between man and man. Of course it can be argued' that contractors should , be protected against themselves ; but a rule of that kind should apply both way's, and, therefore, if a contractor , made too much money out of a job, he should be compelled, in -the protection^* 4he other party, to return to the latter a proportion of such sur plus. If such a ridiculous clause in the contracts existed, we fancy there would be few taken. The objectors to the "lowest tender " system do not appear to recognise that if that ten der only which was nearest below the estimate of the Engineer was accepted, it would be just as well for the public body to have the work done them* selves by their own employes, and leave the outside workman " ouV in' the cold." That' re ' where the real ipoint, is.andjwe -believe, on the latter ground "alone, 'contractors, whether for a railway 'or a chain of road-mak ing, would perfer the present system cv.en with its faults, to remain, untouched, ' * '

As the forest on which the .farmers and settlers at present depend for < fuel, is rapidly being cleared away, we think something should be | done to prepare for the future in that respect by planting suitable trees which, when they arrive at maturity, may be used either for firewood, or other farm purposes such' as making new fences"' 1 or repairing old ones. Suppose every farmer wore to plane each year, on the boundaries of his property, a' certain ' number of say .eucalyptus, English oak, 'wattles' or other suitable and available trees, there would, be a proportionate en- 1 hancetnent in the value of the several properties ; a shelter created lor pro tection from the high winds which do so much damage to orchards ; the absolute prevention of drought, , hecause trees are an unfailing attraction to rain clouds';" stock of all kinds would be protected, from the inclemency of the weather, audi last but not least, the next generation of farmers would have close at tand a ptentif nl and valuable supply -of useful timber-. The actual cost of 1 such annual tree 1 - 1 planting would not be felt by , any individual because half a dozen ; neigh hours might, and no doubt would, combine to make a joint purchase of yojung trees, and thus' reduce the expenses to a minimum. '> '

A of many years experience in sheep farming, fn forms as that there is a considerable risk in farmers leaving unfenced then 1 forest reserves, for the following reason : — lt appears that native as well as the imported , fesque and rye grasses growing rank j on the edge of the cleared land, or , -within the shelter of the standing trees, are very apt to generate ergot from the extra moisture and dam.p in; such situations. . Although neither cattle nor sheep will eat any vegetation,of the rank .growth,. unless they have been kept on poor pasture laadi or have been .recently driven; yet when this objectionable fungus is present it appears to possess considerable attraction for. even well fed animals which greedily eat it, with the well-known disastrous results' among the females. Wa will, be glad to publish any further information ' on this subject any of our farming readers are williug to impart for the general welfare of stock-owners.

Tis revenue fur ' the last financial year is highly satisfactory. Notwithstanding* the short-comings of the preceding as well as the present Ministry, the people have continued to aHow a marked power as well as disposition -to boar taxation. The returns show an increase of £148,131 oni ordinary income, and £68,461 on territorial making a total of £216,592 to jbe added to the amount estimated by Sir Harry Atkinson. Of course from this has to be deducted the excess, over , authorised * expenditure wnich is as ret an unknown quantity, but our contemporary the N.Z. Times, what may bo taken to be well in. formed on the" subject, congratulates the Colonial Treasurer tin huviug a cash balance of £254,088 to begin, th« neyr 'year 1 w.itb/ ' ' The 'revenue "for 'ttie'l year -was. made 'up as follows :— Pevenue, £3,091, 6;; I ; Sihkin- Fund, £288,000 j Surplus from last year,

£3)b,674; Total, £4,316,205. Expen. d>ture,= £4j 130,678. Although there are certain item's yet to ha added to the- last ' earned amount the surplus willVeach three figures. 11