WHARF EXTENSION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5034, 12 May 1877, Page 3

WHARF EXTENSION.

A meeting of the Wharf Committee of the City Council was held yesterday afternoon at three o'clock, for the purpose of considering the tenders received for the wharf extension. There were present—-The Mayor, and Councillors Mills, Cleland, George, Moss, J. A. Allan, Dixon, Greenfield, and G. Allen. Tne Mayor remarked that, before proceedIn" again to the consideration of the tenders for the Queen’s wharf extension, there were two or three preliminary questions that ought to be decided. In the first place, they had to consider whether they should not wait until they had received the letters of those who had tendered by telegraph from other parts of the colony. He had been making enquiries, and he found that it was the practice, with the General Government, at all events, to wait for the tenders from all parts of the colony before coming to a conclusion as to the acceptance of any. Councillor Mills would not like to do anything that was unfair. Councillor Greenfield remarked that as the telegrams by which some had tendered were not at all clear, it was questionable whether they should be recognised. The Mayor said as a general rule those sen t by telegraph were higher than the others. Councillor Cleland said there was one from Auckland, which, if it included all the work, was considerably lower than the others. He referred to Mr. Douagher's. Councillor Greenfield's opinion was that the tenders by telegram referred to, being informal, should not be received. Councillor Mills ; Unless you see that the tender is likely to be accepted, I do not see the Use of waiting. Councillor Cleland contended that they were not in a position to say anything as to that until they were in receipt of the letters of the contractors referred to. Mr. Donagher had deposited the required amount of money in Auckland as a guarantee, and he (Councillor Cleland) thought it would be unfair to do otherwise than wait a few days, in order that the committee might have all the tenders clearly before them. By being hasty over tbo matter they might make a mistake which would afterwards be a source of keen regret. It was pointed out that the contractor alluded to by Councillor Cleland had put nothing in his telegram about the schedule prices, and that he might have the advantage of seeing the schedules of others ; but Councillor Cleland said this could not be so, as the letter was posted. Councillor J. A. Allan considered it would be wise to proceed with due care in a contract so extensive, lest they might be accused of treating unfairly the people in other parts of the colony. The Mayor here read a tender he had received on the evening previous, after the meeting had closed. Councillor Mills : If it is thought probable that any of the tenders by telegram are likely to be accepted, then I think we should wait for a few days until we receive the letters which contain particulars; but not otherwise. Councillor Dixon : If the letters will explain anything, we should wait. His Worship asked Councillor Moss his opinion on the subject. Councillor Moss was of opinion that it depended very much upon the wording of the advertisement.

The Mayor read as follows from the advertisement calling for tenders for the extension of the wharf :—“ Telegraphic tenders similarly addressed and marked will be received if forwarded by noon of same date, provided written tenders in due form and with necessary deposit be lodged with the aforementioned town clerks." He also read the other conditions. Councillor Greenfield said it was evident from the reference to the tenders by telegraph that the committee must wait—they were left no option. It was then generally agreed to postpone the consideration of the tenders until the letters from other parts of the colony arrived ; and after some little discussion as the time to be allowed, the committee agreed to meet again on Tuesday at 3 o’clock, when the whole of the tenders will be considered. The Mayor then referred to the schedules attached to the tenders. These schedules, he explained, contained prices for extra work that might be required in connection with the contract; and the question had arisen whether these schedules should be examined and taken into account in arriving at a decision.

Councillor George said the schedules should not be taken into consideration. The Matoh said some members had raised the question, and he had therefore considered it his duty to ascertain the custom generally adopted. They had just heard Councillor George’s opinion:he was in favor of considering the tenders without reference to the schedules. Councillor MILLH was of an entirely contrary opinion. It would be a different thing if it was an entirely new work; but in the present case a considerable amount of the new work would require to be done in connection with the old.

Councillor Cleland hoped the schedules would be taken into consideration, and Councillor G. Allen was of the same opinion. Councillor Greenfield supported Councillor George’s view of the case. He was surprised to hear any proposition to the contrary put forward. They should adhere to the usual custom, and consider the tenders without reference to the schedules.

Councillor Moss (to the Mayor) : Have you questioned our Surveyor ? The Mayor : Yes ; and his opinion is that according to ordinary rule the schedules should not form any part of it ; he is also of opinion that very little in the shape of extra work will be required. Councillor Mohs : I should be inclined to bo guided entirely by the Surveyor on a question of this kind. Councillor Mills said it was absurd to say that the schedules should not be considered in the fate of the fact that it was no use submitting a tender to the Government without them. The Mayor pointed out that very often the Government tendered upon schedules, and then they were absolutely necessary, Mr. Marchant’s idea was that the extras would not amount to much. Councillor Gkohoe ; I am quite with him. Councillor Mills : If he said so I should give what value I considered necessary to the assertion. I have had too much to do with these things not to know something about them. At this point of the discussion Mr. Marchant entered with the plana. The Mayor questioned him as to the practice adopted with reference to the schedules when considering tenders. Mr. Marchant said it was not usual to consider the schedules.

The Mayor : And is the amount likely to he required for work under the schedule of very great importance? Mr. Marchant : It will not affect the tender to any material extent. The price of the extra work would be regulated by the schedule. Councillor Mills : Is it your opinion that the contractors will not find it necessary to perform any work on the old wharf i Mr. Marchant : Repairs to the old wharf are not included in the specifications. The contractor would not be called upon to strengthen the old wharf. Councillor G. Allen was of opinion that the schedule prices should be taken into consideration in the contract. Mr. Marchant here pointed out to the committee that there was an informality in Coffey’s contract, the schedule not being signed. He also remarked that Mr. Coffey’s schedule price for the superstructure was 100 per cent, above the others. With the exception of three items in Mr. Coffey’s tender, all the others were remarkably close together. His own impression was that the schedule would only be called in question to the extent

of £2OO at the outside. Councillor Cleland remarked that that sum was a mere bagatelle—he had thought the expenditure involved in the performance of extra work would he much larger. The question was then put to each Councillor, and it was agreed that the tenders should be considered without reference to the schedules. The Mayor then said that there was one other point demanding the consideration of the committee —whether the lowest tender should be accepted for the whole work, or whether the contract should be divided, so that one man could be proceeding with one portion of the contract, whilst another went on with the other. He understood in the first place that it was generally agreed that ironhark should he used for the whole of the work. That being so, they had to decide the point he had raised. Councillor George : There can he no doubt yon should give the whole of the work to the man who tenders lowest. Councillor Greenfield : If you divide the work, the wharf will be obstructed for over twelve mouths. Councillor Mills : It depends entirely on circumstances. If two can work without obstructing each other, then it might he advisable to divide the work, as it would expedite the exteusiou. The Mayor ; I am under the impression that it could not be done. Councillor Greenfield : It is a matter of some importance, aud a division of the work between two or three parties would only lead to utter confusion. I for one would strongly recommend (.he Council to lot the contract to the lowest tenderer for the whole work.

Councillor George quite agreed with the last speaker. He would not go so far as to say that it would be unfair to take Nos. 1 and 2 contracts separately ; hut they might, according to Councillor Clehuid, accept four of the tenders, and divide the work between them. The tenders were evidently sent in with the expectation that the lowest tender for the whole work would be accepted. And then again it should be remembered that for a small section of the contract the same amount of plant would be required as for a large section, therefore it would scarcely be worth a man’s while to take up a small item. Councillor Cleland sal; they had called for separate tenders, and each of the tenderers was permitted to take up one or more of the contracts; and he had found, as a matter of fact, that by dividing the work they would effect a saving of £2OOO. Councillor George pointed out that the last speaker was in error in saying that the contract was advertised for in sections, in order that separate tenders might be taken. The object was that as they did not know what the work might cost they could spend the money in theraanuerthey thought proper. Asithad turned out, hewever, they found they were in a position to undertake the whole work ; and therefore he thought the contract should be let to one man—the lowest tenderer. The Mayor endorsed Councillor George’s remarks as to the reasons which actuated the Council in advertising as they did. He was about to make the explanation himself, when Councillor George saved him the trouble. Councillor Mills ; My firm opinion in that if we except two tenders the contractors will not clash in the work, and if we can save anything like £2OOO by adopting that course it is our evident duty to do so. Mr. March AST said there appeared to be a misunderstanding as to the way in which he had worded the advertisement for tenders. It was not possible for more than two tenders to be accepted. There were only two contracts, as he had written them, the second item in each contract being simply an extra portion of the first. His opinion was that a good deal of inconvenience would arise from having more than one contract on the wharf at the same time. Councillor G. Allen would agree to the separation of the contracts if something substantial might be saved thereby, say £IOOO, for instance. The Mayor suggested that the question should be arranged in the following manner—that the whole of the work included in the specifications be carried on with ironbark ; that the committee wait until three o’clock on Tuesday before coming to a decision; that then they should accept two tenders and divide the contract, if a saving of £IOOO could be effected thereby ; and if not, that the whole contract be let to one contractor. The suggestion was adopted. Councillor George protested against the division of the work. The Mayor agreed with Councillor George, but remarked that the majority were in favor of the above arrangement. The committee then proceeded to discuss other business.