THE ARNOLD AND AHAURA CONTRACT.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1174, 3 May 1872, Page 2

THE ARNOLD AND AHAURA CONTRACT.

[TO THE EDITOK.] . . Sib, — I, seeing tenders called for in your issue of April, 1872, for the clearing of the telegraph line between Arnold River and the Ahaura, . spent a considerable time in carefully looking over the line, and tendered for the work per prescribed form, depositing L2O, and naming Messrs Russell and Carter, of the firm of James Hamilton and Co., New River, they endorsing my tender as required; and, to my surprise, I find Mr Gar ven has got the contract L 57 higher than my tender! My price was 25s per chain, and Mr Garven has got the tender at 26s 6d per chain, or Is 6d per chain more than my tender. ' It certainly seems a very strange way of spending the public. money. If there had been a great discrepancy between the two tenders, and either of them ridiculously low, then there might have been reasons to; justify those that have the accepting of the very lowest, if they considered that the contractor could not possibly carry out the work. But, again, what have they to ask for security .to the amount of L2OO, or one-half of the whole job, unless they enforced the work being done. It certainly mystifies me, and if this sort of thing is practised by our officials, there is rib knowing where it 'will end ; it i will give contractors a feeling of distrust and make tendering a; far.cc! ! - Who has the accepting or recommending ' of the tenders ? I will s deem.it a favor if you will insert this letter, and perhaps you will be able to explain it to the public arid myself. ; lam, &c, James Pollock, Contractor. Marsden, April 29.