COUNTY CONTRACTS.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3983, 4 October 1881, Page 3

COUNTY CONTRACTS.

(To the Editor of the Evening Stab.) Siß,~Would you oblige by inserting my communication in answer to " Unsuccessful Contractor," which appeared in this morning's issue of your contemporary. The writer invites me to reveal the names of my informants; that I would gladly comply with, but only with their sanetioD, as it would amount to a breHch of faith otherwise. But I can tell the above writer that my informants are gifted wi,th practical knowledge, and I assure him they would not bo guilty: of such gross ignorance of work as displayed in "U.C.'s" epistle, when he infers that piles sunk in the ground are equal to being driven, and the impossibility of driving 88me*' : at'.;»th6;> vMiaßioii':: Bridge. Why, to any person of experience, gravel or shingle 18 suitable for such a purpose;' All I have to>gt^te ; {B\this :. The drawings, Xjbcli6^ represent the piles as being driven, and" shows the various depths." As ihe present;piles are only.* s,unk a few feet in the groiand 1, and the.creek'bed haß to be deepened about three feet, the result is, when a slight scour ensues, the bottom of so-called " piles "—even ioitfc' out siUs-rrmllrbfi iMtposed to view. Efe garding the piles:being sunk theJrequired depth, that must dwell only 1 in" 1 the; imaginative brain of VV'.O.'" as certain portions, 1 beliefe, of similar^dfmVjtaiotis (six fe^t or, more itt. lenfetfc)..••»«?«Ko*;in reposing positions adjacent to the work, testifying to the same riot being done; 1 Childish simplicity of mind; characterises the writer "TJ.O.,''. when he' wishes to infer that my letter was written inimical to Mr Adams or any other .contra' ctdr. I decline to. accept I;the.,soft?impeachment: It is done in the interests of the ratepayers, bona fide contractors, and the public generally. ,As ■■" IJ.C."V seems so thoroughly,vfersedin rmatters. of this kind, would he answ,ei--the following queries-:— Have the water race sections contracts been carried out'in faithful compliance with the specifications' and drawings? Have the whole! !0f the road contracts been completed in a proper" manner? Have all works in connection with the water courses up the : Waiotabi and adjoining creeks been finished in terms of contract? Has ever a saving to contractors been effected by deviating considerably from specifications and drawings, in some instances amounting to £40 and £50, and no deductions made p Lastly, is the timber now being used in structures of various descriptions of the quality required by specifications ? or do they specify that large.knots and shakes shall predominate ? In conclusion, let " TF.C." answer these queries unbiassed,' and render unequivocal proof that my statements are false and malicious; then he. will'be esteemed a public benefactor; and, I shall receive the 1 Odium of all parties.— I am, &c, Night is Might.