SEWERAGE TENDERS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4938, 12 February 1926, Page 3

SEWERAGE TENDERS.

CONTRACTOR CLAIMS EXTRAS.

DISALLOWED BY COUNCIL. In connection with tenders called for linking up residences with the sewerage sys.tem a rather unusual claim came before the Borough Council Last night, when W. Forrest forwarded an account for extras ajnounting to £8 ss, 9d in connection with a sewerage connection made to a residence on Station Road. It was claimed that the work done was outside that provided in the council’s plan and specifications. In an explanatory letter the writer stated that the plan originally exhibited for tenderers showed the length of the main drain to be 22ft 6in, and 96ft. Some alterations were made in the route and all the '.figures on the main drain were erased except the first set showing 22ft 6in. He had tendered on the measurements, as owing to the plan not being drawn to scale \he could do nothing else. The pipes- were ordered to do the length, but 36 more had to be procured to complete the job. The inspection pipe at the Bucfian trap w*as shown, but none was shown or specified in the long length to the inspection' chamber. This had been ordered to be put in by the borough inspector after the work had been completed. A copy of (he letter was forwarded to the district ! inspector of health, who replied as follows,: “I beg to say that I personally told Mr the measurements shown on the plan could only be considered as approximate, and I advised him to go and measure up the work on his own account. The alterations to the plan consisted merely in straightening out the original lines shown, but did not -materially alter their lengths. This fact is obvious to anyone who understands reading plans. “Regarding the extra claimed for providing an inspection opening in the drain between the Buchan trap and ’the inspection chamber, this work wap- rendered necessary by Mr Forrest’s own neglect, it is both shown on the plan and is required by the by-laws.” In reply to Or. Flatt the Mayor said that Mr Forrest was of opinion that the owner of the residence was prepared to contribute towards the extra cost. In the opinion of the speaker Mr Forrest had made a palpable error. - It would never do to permit a tenderer to ajccept. a job and then ask for payment for extras which would increase the cost to several pounds above the,-highest tender. Cr. Pinder said that there was only about a foot difference in the length. Cr. Flatt moved .that .the matter be referred to the Mayor and chairmajn of the finance committee, to interview the owner and Mr Forrest, with power to settle the matter. Cr. Brenan objected to the resolution, and -moved as .an amendment that the report of the inspector be approved and ’the claim be disallowed. The amendment was carried on the voices. .