THE WAIPAHI-TAPANUI RAILWAY JOB.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5463, 30 September 1878, Page 3

THE WAIPAHI-TAPANUI RAILWAY JOB.

To theEditorof the Morning Herald , Dunedin,

Sir, —Yonr leader to-day upon the suspicious action of the Governmcnt in the matter of the Tapanui railway contract will be useful in directing public attention to the subject, and will also give Ministerial supporters an opportunity of rejoicing, like the Minister of Public Works, over a chance of explaining certain special circumstances in connection therewith. Besides the unusual terms as to payment, there have been exceptional facts in this ugly business which did not escape the notice of contractors at the time, and led more than one to believe that it was no use tendering, as the affair was as good as settled. Eor instance, it has been usual to exhibit contract papers in mere than one town, but in this case they were to be seen only at the ono office ; thereby, X have no doubt, limiting the competition to those contractors who could find it convenient and congenial to visit the office of the engineer in charge of the Middle Island. The advertisement stated that telegraphic tenders could bo despatched up to noon of the 29th July, provided written ones were left at a Public Works Office before that hour. A strange commentary upon this is that the tender of Messrs. Proudfoot and AXcKay was accepted, and the contract signed, upon the 30th, or before written tenders could have arrived •from distant parts of the colony ! Is there another instance in the history of the Public Works scheme where such despatch has been employed ? Had this haste anything to do with the fear that some wide-awake member of .the Assembly should interfere at the last moment, before the country was committed ? The Minister for Public Works, I understand, says that no extension of time has been promised to contractors, and that a Ministry who could do such a thing would deserve impeachment 1 High-souled Minister, and fortunate conntry to possess such a one for the head of its Public Works ! But has this escaped his master mind—that neither the Government nor its contractor has a right to commence these works upon private land ? so that any proprietor may prevent operations until the fine is legalised and the necessary rights acquired. This will involve a delay of some months at least, and I think any man not an innocent Minister of Public Works can see how this may become not only a plea for extension of time, but also the grounds of a claim for very high compensation.—-I am, &0., Dunedin, 23rd September)