A Novel Contract

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 36, 5 November 1937, Page 4

A Novel Contract

The informality of the first contract for the construction of a track through the Cannibal Gorge and over the Lewig Pass, Canterbury, was cited for the amusement of contractors by the Hon R. Semple, at the official opening of the Lewis Pass Road last week. This contract, made by the Reefton County Council many yoars ago, contained a clause to this effect; "If there is anything which is not in the specifications but ought to be, the eontractor shall do the job that ought to be specified without any extra cost whatever. ' ' Mr. Semple asked how/modern contrnc tors would like to face a contract l'ike that. In addition to this the eontractor was paid in promissory notes,. Weather 'In Oetober. In the Dominion as a whole Oetober was a very dry month with a good deal of wind, which came mainly from a southerly quarter, writes Dr. E. Kidson, Director of Meteorologieal Services. The atmosphere was generally dry and cool and frosts were unusuhlly numerous, especially in tho . South Island. Though there is, in most districts, as yet no acuto shortage of feed, the growth of pastures and vegetation generally has been poor. Tho rains from Oetober 23 onward relieved conditions considerably in the North Island, but the subsequent fine weather with drying winds has, to a considerable oxtent, nullified their effect. Grass is tending to flower early and while stlll short. Stock are. on the whole, in very fiOod condition, especially lambs. Conditions are very favourablo also for ahearing.