Contractor complains

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 276, 28 February 1989, Page 3

Contractor complains

Waimarino District Engineer Don Sattler has stuck by his view that the Pipiriki Sewerage Scheme contractors are at fault in the completion delay. At a recent works committee meeting Mr Sattler told the committee that the contractors, Waimarino Draglines had not met the completion deadline, partly because they chose to install all lines before testing and that substandard work had been produced. The council accepted Mr Sattler's explanation and accepted the Works and Reserves Committee recommendation to impose a penalty on the contractor. The contractors wrote to the council express^ing concern that he read of the committee's recommendation to impose a $200 per week penalty in the Bulletin. The letter stated that there had been no formal notice from the council on the matter. Contracting company principal Hira Parata said in his letter that the pipelines had "been continuously tested through the course of the contract and have tested correctly." He added: "Council has shown no interest until recently with testing, we are quite happy to work in harmony with the council but object to the incorrect and libellous statements made in public." He said the work had been hampered by bad weather, extra work and waiting for the Turnpage 6