KEEPING THE BRIDGE

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 276, 11 February 1928, Page 1

KEEPING THE BRIDGE

WAIHOU PLEASANTRIES CLERK OF WORKS REMOVED CASES FOR THE COURT (From Our Own Correspondent) TE AROHA, To-day. An amicable settlement has been reached between the Te Aroha Borough Council and the Waihou Bridge contractor, Mr. Lopdell, wpo, following an altercation and exchange of blows between the foreman and clerk of works, had threatened last week to take his men off the job unless the clerk of works was kept away. fpHE condition applied by the contractor has now been complied with, and the council decided last night to open the bridge on Wednesday, February 22. The Minister of Public Works is to be asked to officiate, and invitations will be sent to other members of the Cabinet. CLAIMS WAIVED It was agreed that the council waive all claims of time penalties, that the bitumen surfacing of the bridge be carried out by the borough staff, and that the council remit the charge of £33 for water supplied to the contractor. The contractor, Mr. Lopdell, has agreed to waive his claim for £222 11s 3d for extras, and to hand over the bridge to be officially opened on February 22; also to indemnify the council against all claims usually covered by the 25 per cent, held back. Thus the trouble with the contractor has been adjusted, but the friction between the clerk of works, the foreman, the engineer, and the council still continues. CIVIL CLAIM On Monday the clerk of works, Mr. T. J. James, is being chaTged at the Magistrate’s Court with battery and assault on the foreman on the bridge construction work. On Monday, also, the contractor, Mr. Lopdell, Is claiming through the Civil Court damages against the clerk of works, for alleged defamation. There was another storm at this week’s borough council meeting when once again, after animated discussion, the engineer, Mr. S. Jones, was not allowed a chance to make an explanation, because the council was not unanimous that it should sit after the time-limit, 10 p.m. .