MANGAHAO TUNNELS.

Otaki Mail, 10 April 1922, Page 4

MANGAHAO TUNNELS.

\ #— PJRICES OF NEW CONTRACTS LOWER. As announced, in this journal last week, the Department of Public Wen It* has now let contracts for the tunnels at Mangahao at prices lower than the oTd rates. Most of the tunnellers at Mangahao dropped their tools when it was

announced that their wages were to . he reduced by one shilling per day, | in accordance with the scheme of re- , trenchment approved by Parliament. I One party was working at No. 1 tunnel under a straight-out contract, and so was not affected by the statutory reduction in the wages of Stale employees. This party remained at work, but the other tunnellers, who were working on the co-operative system, refused to accept the “cut” and stopped work at the tunnels. Subsequently representatives of the striking tunnellers interviewed the Minister of Public Works (Mr Coates) and made various suggestions. But the conditions on which they were prepared to resume work would have involved an actual increase in the cost of the tunnels, and the Minis'ar would not accept the proposals. He decided to call for tenders for the

completion of the tunnels, and the Department did this some weeks ago. 1 The work was divided into six contracts, and tenders were received far a.U of them from parties of tunnellet s. The basis of the tenders was that the parties should do the work, the Department providing plant and material. The successful tenderers are as follow: No. 2 contract (No. 1 tunnel, 162. ft to be completed), S. Nash and partv, 54/ per foot, plus 5/ per foot for timbering, where timbering is necessary. No. 3 contract (No. 2 tunnel, 133211), F. Birss and party, 74/ per foot-, including timbering. No. 4 contract (No. 2 tunnel, ad it 127 ft, curved tunnel 62ft, main tunnel 1400 ft), B. McGrath and party, adit 535, curved tunnel 45/, main tunnel 69/6 per foot, with timbering allowance of 4/6 per foot where timbering is necessary. No. 5 contract (No. 2 tunnel, 600ft>. J. R. Hesp and party, 65/ per foot, plus 9/ for timbering where necessary.

No. 6 contract (No. 2 tunnel, 1000 ft), A. J. Roycroft and party, 65/ per. foot, plus 5/ for timbering where necessary. No. 7 contract (by-pass tunnel, Mangahao dam), F. Moran and party, main tunnel 50/ per foot, shaft 60/ per foot, incline 40/ per foot, timbering included. An exact comparison of the prices is difficult, owing to variation of conditions. In the case of No. 2 contract the previous price was 62/ per foot, plus 5/ for timbering. The new con-

tract price Is 54/ per foot, plus 5/ for timbering. The men may make better money than they did under doe old arrangement, if they increase their pace. But the Department is saving money on fhe change of sys-