MUSEUM DISPUTE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 529, 5 December 1928, Page 6

MUSEUM DISPUTE

COMMITTEE AND CONTRACTORS CASE FOR ARBITRATION Pending the settlement of a dispute involving extra costs, the Citizens’ Committee which manages the Auckland War Memorial Fund has decided not to consider the introduction . cf further features at the museum. The dispute is between the committee and the contractors, the Hansford and Mills Construe *n Company. Tlie company received the contract in September. 1924. and the cost of the work done amounts to over £200,000. The committee questions its liability for extras amounting: to several thousands of pounds. The dispute will be decided by an ex-.,udge of the Supreme Court, who will act as arbitrator, and the hearing- will begin shortly. Six counsel are engaged in preparing legal argument. It is estimated by the committee that the various memorial features which the Auckland Returned Soldiers’ Association is anxious to see installed, including a roll of honour, a paved court of honour and a permanent cenotaph, will cost ?n additional £12,000. It was stated on the committees behalf yesterday that, while it is anxious to have the memorial character of the building fittingly emphasised, the consideration of further plans is out of the question until the full obligations to which the war memorial fund is exposed are definitely know i*. As it is, the fund is practically exhausted. .