THE NIGHTSOIL CONTRACT.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sir. —A letter addressed by me to the City Council was rejected, on the plea that it was disrespectful. I am, however, inclined to hazard the opinion that it was burked by Councillor Gillon, not because of the disrespect, but because it did not suit him and two other persons. That its contents should be made public, the following is a copy of tho letter m question, and if you see nothing improper or disrespectful in it, or if you think it is likely to interest the Wellington public, I beg to request the favor of its insertion.— l am ' c '' ■ Bobeut Austin. " Wellington, Juno 9th, 1875. "To tho Mayor and Councillors of tho City of Wellington, " Gentlemen,—Some time since, In reply to your advertisement calling for tenders for the removal of nlghtsoil and rubbish, I lodged a tender for the performance of the work, which was rejected, the reason givon boingthat as it was tho only tendorsentin, the Sanitary Committee had determined not to accopt it. Subsequently, other tenders wero called, for, and I again tendered, under arrangement with another person, at a lower llguro. This tender was signed by Mr. Simeon. This tender was also rejected, no reason being assigned, but tho Sanitary Committee at the time of its rejection oxpressod an intention ol calling for further tenders after the lapso of three months. I have now ascertained that the Sanitary Committee, without calling for tenders, have arranged a contract with a Mr. Saunders, and at a rato which will entail an expenditure of at least £IOOO a year over and abovo tho amount of my tendor. This is not mere assertion, but can bo proved by anyim»artial person who understands tho work. Your own officer, tho Sanitary Inspector, cannot deny tho
truth of this statement. For it was from him I obtained a great deal of information which guided me in making my calculations. ' ,_■..,, "In conclusion, I beg to say that as the contract said to have been arranged with Saunders by the Sanitary Committee (of which Councillor Gillon is the most prominent member) has been brought about in a most unfair and unusual manner to tenderers, and prejudicial to the interests of the ratepayers. I most respectfully request that the Council do reject the same, and call for tenders in tho usurd manner for the performance of the work.—l am, &c, ' Robert Austin.
Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZTIM18750621.2.16
Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka
New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4447, 21 June 1875, Page 3
Word count
Tapeke kupu
408THE NIGHTSOIL CONTRACT. New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4447, 21 June 1875, Page 3
Using this item
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
No known copyright (New Zealand)
To the best of the National Library of New Zealand’s knowledge, under New Zealand law, there is no copyright in this item in New Zealand.
You can copy this item, share it, and post it on a blog or website. It can be modified, remixed and built upon. It can be used commercially. If reproducing this item, it is helpful to include the source.
For further information please refer to the Copyright guide.