HOSPITAL COAL SUPPLY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5190, 12 October 1927, Page 3

HOSPITAL COAL SUPPLY.

NO TENDERS FOR THREE, YEARS. MEMBERS OBJECT TO METHOD. Arising out of the engineer’s monthly re<port at Monday’s meeting of the Thames Hospital Board the matter of the coal supply to the institution was raised by Mr E. L. Walton, who asked what arrangement was in force for the supply of coal. In reply the chairman (Mr W. E. Hale) explained that a good quality coal was being supplied by a Thames dealer at 37s 6d a ton delivered at the hospital. The arrangement had been in vogue, for three years and had worked satisfactorily. Tenders had not been called during that time be- , cause, in his opinion, the price could not be equalled or lowered. It was contended by Mr' C. W. S. Flett that it was the duty of th© board to call tenders, as it was not fair to give one dealer the monopoly when there were other dealers in the town who might be prepared to submit competitive prices. Mr Walton said that he could not understand how the contractor could buy' coal at the mine for 26s a ton, pay 10s 6d a ton railage from the mine to Thames, and handle, cart, and meet other overhead expenses on Is a ton. It also opened up a delicate question. With so small, a margin to work on, did the board have any check on the weight received from the contractor ? It not, it should have. Mr Flejtt agreed and while not suggesting that anything was wrong, he thought it was decidedly unbusinesslike to have no check other than the weights supplied by, the contractor. It was stated by Mr P. E. Brenan that the engineer was responsible for a check on the coal supplied and consumed. The contractor had served the board well, and as far as he could see no good purpose could be served by calling new tenders, because of his, knowledge of the trade coal could not be purchased cheaper. On the motion of Mr Flett it was decided to call tenders, together with tenders for other goods, at the end of March next. Mr Walton said that some check other than the mine dockets should be instituted. ■ Mr C. W. Kennedy said he hoped a ' proper check, of the coal received would be kept from nbw oh till March, when new arrangements would be made.