THE ASPHALT CONTRACT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2266, 13 October 1891, Page 2

THE ASPHALT CONTRACT.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—As a ratepayer, and as one of the tenderers for the asphalting of footpaths in Temuka, I beg to enter my protest against the manner in- which the late contract was let. My tender was £6 lower than the highest, and £5 lower than the second. The second man,Mr Monahan, put in an alternative tender of £ll7, proposing to keep the woik in repair for twelve months, which was really only nine months more than the ordinary contractor would have to do. His tender was accepted, and he therefore receives £2l more for the work than need have been paid, or about 20 per cent on the total amount. If the work was left in good order at the end of three months it would last the year, It is admitted that Mr Monahan, with Mr Lang's instruction and help, has done satisfactory work, but that is outside the question. All the tenderers were entitled to be considered as fit to do the work they undertook until the contrary was proved. The board takes care to retain a substantial deposit, and if the work had been found not to be proceeding in a satisfactory manner the contractor could have been stopped, and there would be no loss to the ratepayers' income. If the tender system is worth adopting tenders should be considered on their merits, and outside considerations should not be brought into the matter. This is not the first occasion in whioh favoritism has been shown, and possibly the ratepayers have suffered. If the members comprising the board allow themselves to be guided by outside influence it is time a change was made. A motto they might adopt with benefit to themselves and the ratepayers is "Be just and fear not."—l am, &c, James Davis.