THE BROGDEG ARRANGEMENTS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 207, 18 January 1872, Page 6

THE BROGDEG ARRANGEMENTS.

(To the Editor.)

Sin,— The " New Zealand Herald," referring to railways the execution of which may be entrusted to Messrs. Brogden, says (19th inst.): — "And the works are to be executed under the direction of the Engineer-in-Chief, the firm receiving, as payment, ten per cent, over and above the actual outlay, all expenditure being under the control and by the direction of the Government." It seems to me that there is here a start on a principle (as to payment) directly opposite to the correct one. The contractor's remuneration is to be made proportional, j not to the excellence and cheapness of the work, but to ftp costliness and perhaps inefficiency. Let , us examine what reasons may be alleged for this arrangement, and their reasonableness, Ist. The controlling power of the Engineer over the works, and of the Government over the expenditure. 2nd. That engineers, architects, <fee, are usually pai4 similarly (by a percent-

age on the cost). 3rd. That the Government will have, under certain circumstances, power to suspend this arrangement and to adopt another. I don't think we have here an effectual remedy. Ist. Engineers and contractors generally have a mutual good understanding. The engineer's task is a difficult one. He has to foresee and, ah initio, provide against all difficulties, big and little, of a weighty undertaking. There is a sort of tacit understanding that the contractor will not take advantage of shortcomings in drawings or specification, and that the engineer, on his part, will not be " hatrd "in money matters. This works well enough in ordinary cases, but will not do so, I opine, under the ten per cent, to contractor arrangement. The controlling power of the Government, after theyiiave directed the engineer 1 to proceed with a certain railway, is likely to be confined to the how, when, and where to pay the contractor the amount of the engineer's certificates. 2nd. Engineers and contractors are so paid because of practical difficulties attending less objectionable arrangements. 3rd. If »the contractors find their advantage in the ten per cent, plan, they may be able (if willing) to put very effective obstacles in the way of suspending the arrangements. — I am, &c, B. M'Swiney.

Wetherstbnes, Jan. 15th, 1872.