A "TENDER" QUESTION

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 31, 20 February 1937, Page 3

A "TENDER" QUESTION

Our Own Correspondent)

Discussion by Central H B. Power Board CHA1RMAN UNDER F1RE

(From

WAIPUKURAU, Last Night. "The general puftlio may not have the same idea about you that I have, that, like Caesar's wife, you are above suspicion," said Mr M, Ryan to the chairman of the Central Hawke's Bay Power Board, Mr A. C- Russell, at the monthly meeting of the board to-day during a discussion regarding the method of procedure ixx dealing with tenders for line construction. "Well I never met the lady," replied Mr Russell, at which several members made joking references to what might have happened if he had. Mr Ryan said he had been approached by Mr Ashby, of Waipawa, who had sent in. a tender for line construction. Mr Ashby claimed that he had received acvice that his tender had been received and afterwards he discovered that the time for the receiving of the tenders had been extended without his receiving any notification to this effect. Mr Ryan accordingly asked for an explanation. The secretary-manager, Mr G. E. Fowler, explained that it had been thought desirable to extend the time because at the cfosing date only this one tender had been received, whereas there had been several applications for particulars from firms who seemed likely to tender. Accordingly the finance committee had decided that the various firms who had sent for application forms should be written to advising them that tho date for the closing of tenders had been extended, Mr Ashby among them. No Advlco Given, The letter to Mr Ashby being produced and read it was found that he had been advised that his tender had been received but had not been advised of the extension of the closing date. The chairman said that no harm had been done. Mr Ryan said that Ashby's tender should not have been opened'until after the extended closing date, and further, that he should have been given an opportunity of making a later tender if he wished. "I have as much interest as anyone in keeping the name of the Board what it should be," said Mr Ryan, "and if you give a man a chance to say that tenders were opened and then the timo extended you give this man a chance to throw: mud at the Board." Mr W. A. Chambers: I think that the chairman made an honest mistake, but in future tenders should he regarded as sacred. The chairman explained that the tender concerned had been locked up in the safe and its contents had not been made public. He thought they were making a lot of fuss about nothing. Mr R. A. Fraser: No one suggests that you be censured, Mr Chairman, but you did make a mistake. We'do not suggest any ulterior moiive. Now you may as well admit that you made a mistake and give the man an opportunity to tender again." Not Unanjmous Mr F. J. Witherow: The committee were not unanimous as to the action taken and I quite agree with Mr Ryan. The Chairman: Well, let it go. Several Members: Let what go? Mr A. C. Holms : Yes, there is a point. The board has ruled that fresh tenders must be called and we cannot accept this tender to-day. The chairman; Very well, I think you are only postponing it for a month. It was decided that freshi tendet3, to close on March 15, should be called and that the chairman and secretary be empowered to ■ open them for the purposo of tabulation.