THE WHARF CONTRACT.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 34, 8 January 1884, Page 2

THE WHARF CONTRACT.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib,— Having carefully examined the plans and specifications for the new wharf, I felt much surprise on seeing the bill of extras presented by the Engineer to the Board to pass for payment, and on subsequently going down to the wharf was still more surprised to find that some of the work against items in the bill (had they been legitimate extras) were not even began. The first item, £B5, is for an alteration in the sheet-piling, which was in itself an advantage to the contractor, and therefore should not be paid for as an extra. The second item, £4 16s, for joists, is part and parcel of the contract, and not an extra. Third item, £9 12s. for landing, is clearly implied in the specification, and could not be called an extra without a considerable straining of that important document, together with the general conditions of contract, 4th item £5 for packing is a useless expenditure that could easily have been avoided, fith item : The earthwork in this item is also part of the contract. 6th and last item £8 Is. is the only legitimate extra in the bill. How the Engineer could recommend such a bill to the Board for payment, and state that the work was done to his satisfaction, in face of the fact that the timber above and below the ground had only received one coat of tar instead of two, is a matter the Board should enquire into, as the public will not be satisfied by making the Clerk of Works the scape, goat.—l am &c., Quantity Surveyor.