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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 126, 28 May 1881, Page 2

The New South Wales correspone dent of the N. Z. Times writes : — The Town Hall scandal is of a progressivcharacter. When the foundation swindle has been fully exposed the city architect was instructed to examine the plastering of the rooms already completed. This task has been performed, and it has been elicited that the work , has not been done in accordance with the specifications, but that, on the contrary, while the lower portions of the walls (such as were within reach) had been constructed of the proper material, the ceilings and upper parts of the walls were of common mortar instead of cement. Some of the aldermen had . the hardihood to contend that although the work had not been executed in accordance with the specifications, yet it had been done in a manner which was customary with the trade. From this contention we obtain an insight into the manner in which the Corporation works have been performed, and from this insight we learn that tenderers who were in the secret were permitted to understand that the work might be done in a much inferior manner to that required by the specifications ; hence they were able to tender at much lower prices than the simpleton who supposed he had to be guided by the specifications. But, if any such simpleton had obtained the tender, somebody might have discovered earlier N that the specifications had not been complied with. The principal contractor for this disgraceful plastering is one who was an alderman, and who is still a very bright and shining light among the Good Templars and Orangemen. We have not yet done with the -matter, as three independent architects have been appointed to examine into and report upon the whole question of the Town Hall Buildings. The question as to the posture In which a man may place himself ia bis pew has been recently before an American court. An American jury has recently decided that John Dick, of Warsaw, New York, had a right to sit in his pew, ia the German Lutheran Church, with his feet elevated , upon the back of the seat in front of him. j -Pirated by R. Eke&& & Son, "Mail" Office, Nelabjj, i :