ORETI RAILWAY CONTRACT.

Southland Times, Issue 1074, 16 December 1868, Page 2

ORETI RAILWAY CONTRACT.

(TO THE EDITOB OF THE SOUTH-LAUD XIMB3). Sir, — I perceive in the report contained in your issue of .the 4th instant, of the proceedings of. Ahe Provincial Council, that one or two^ of.the members, during the debate, reflected upon the bond fides of my tender, and inferred that I had been guided by >the offer of Messrs Abbott and Packham, a knowI ledge of which offer had been privately obtained. If you will allow me space, I wish, in as concise a manner as possible, to place the facts before your readers. My tender was ,£17,933 3s lOd, of which £11,000 was to be taken in land at 20s per acre, and the balance of £6,933 odd, in cash. I also tendered as an alternative, for £17,373 ss, as an entirely cash price, that being the previous amount of my original tender of the 30th September, ultimo. Upon the 19th of November last, I was requested both by telegram and letter, from the Government, to forward a price for land only, &nd in accordance with that request I sent an offer to complete the work for 18,700 acres of land, that amount being calculated on the same ratio as my tender proper. If I had been influenced by their (Abbott and Packham's) amount, I should surely have made a less difference than 1300 acres. However, when the original tenders are opened, it will be clearly seen that my cash offer has been unaltered throughout. I do not know if others have adopted the same course. I would submit that my tender, to take £11,000 in land, and balance in cash, is a far more favorable offer than 20,000 acres, as it gives the Q-overnment 9000 acres of land to realise £6933 odd, or at the rate of 15s 4d per acre. With regard to the insinuation as to private information, there could be no necessity for it, as it was published in a Southland paper three days before any communication was received by me. I think my figures dispel any doubt whatever that I was placed in any advantageous position to be guided by anyone. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, Datid Peotjdfoot.