AN EXTRAORDINARY CLAIM.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9342, 11 January 1909, Page 5

AN EXTRAORDINARY CLAIM.

On Saturday the Pohangina County Council received from Mr J. O’Donnell, the contractor for the erection of a span to the Pohangina bridge, an account, which to say the least, surprised the members. Shortly after the contract was let to Mr O’Donnell and before the latter had done more than put a little staging on the- site, another heavy slip came down which stopped further work. This was six months ago, and the chairman of the Council stated on Saturday that when it became evident that the contract would have to be determined, he inquired of the engineer in charge (Mr Ronnthwaite), in regard to the liability of the Council. The latter had remarked that it would not amount to more than about £IOO, and O’Donnell would be glad to be free of the contract, consequently the Council was satisfied that its interest was being looked after by the Engineer. A copy of a letter to the Engineer was also read by the Clerk, intimating to !the former that the Council expected him to watch its interest. A letter was received from Mr Rounthwaite on Saturday on the matter, hut it contained no definite information as to any arrangements he had 'made with the contractor. The latter stated in a letter accompanying his acoourt, that he had sent a similar account to Mr Rounthwaite, but Mr Rounthwaite had not attended to the matter. In the discussion, the account was declared to be an extraordinary one. being a claim in fact nearly equal to the full amount of the contract price, which was £984 la 81, and the members of the Council said it could not possibly be entertained. The following wore the particulars :—For material and labour: Piles at the bridge 132 at ss, £B3; jarrah 2400 feet at 30s, £360; ironbark 2250 feet, at 40s, £45; ironbark, 4 tons 28 feet £121; cash paid for white pine staging £4 17s 6d ; hauling, staging and gear £ls; wages £B4; passage of foreman from Greymouth £3 10s; petty cash paid £6 4s; interest £l6; plans £6 6s; deposit £6O; gear lost under slip £25; my overtime and expenses, say £SO; total £B2O 17s 6d.