HOSKING MEMORIAL BATHS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9548, 21 July 1909, Page 5

HOSKING MEMORIAL BATHS.

THE METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION. WARM DEBAIE AT THE BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING. DEADLOCK OVER THETENDERS. At the Borough Council tweeting last evening the portion of the Works and Finance Committee's report relating to the tenders in connection with the erection of the Hosking Memorial Baths was the commencement of a considerable amount of heated discussion, when it came up for adoption. The report in connection with the scheme was read as follows: —"The Town Cleric submitted six tenders received in response to public advertisement for the construction of this bath in accordance with drawings, conditions and specifications. The tenders were as follow: —For a bath, 90ft by 40ft—King £7OO, Guthrie £705, McCalmont £730,

Haughey £779, Collins £BIO 14s, Taylor and Hodges £B2l 12s. For a bath, 75ft by 40ft—Guthrie £578 15s, King £650, McCalmont £650, Haughey £730, Collins £740 4s, Taylor>nd Hodges £779. Each of which several amounts include a sum of £SO to provide for contingencies, the unexpended portion of which to be deducted from the amount of the tender., The Committee recommend that the lowest tender for the smallest bath, that of Guthrie in a sum of £578 15s be accepted subject to the approval of Dr. Hosking and the execution of the necessary form of contract and bond." After the report had been read the Mayor stated that he had communicated the result of the tenders to Dr Hosking, but that gentleman had declined to accept the lowest tender of £578, Dr. Hosking was of opinion that a larger bath could be erected for the sum available. Thß Mayor then read the following letter which had been received from Dr Hosking in connection with the scheme. " Mastertou, 15th, July 1909. To the Mayor and Councillors of Masterton Borough.—Gentlemen, —I am given to understand that the Council contemplate accepting a tender for the public baths'for women proposed by me with dimensions 75ft by 40ft, at £578 (including £SO for contingencies). I would point out that my offer was for £SOO to cover the whole cost, and for which in handing the amount to the Council and the people would be enabled thereby to obtain the very best value for the money, and that is what wt shall certainly expect. In answer to enquiries I learn from the Mayor thac the Borough Engineer is prepared easily with the Borough staff to undertake the construction of the bath, having the full dimensions of 90ft by 40ft -—a larger bath by 15 feet —upor. the same plans and specification for the £SOO and of my oSer. I de> Isire to state that having consultet the leading women concerned m; wif included, and also my twn in

ciinationd, we prefer to have the larger bath, as it will give greater satisfaction t(. all users concerned, and as my offer is limited to £SOO, I desire that the construction should be carried out by your most efficient Borough staff, under the Borough Engineer, in whom I have every confidence, he undertaking that the cost shall not exceed that amount. In this manner only will the neople | obtain full value ' for the money. / Lastly, I trust that the Council, will now proceed with the work without any further delay.—Wm. H. HOSKING." The Mayor said that there appeared to be no alternative but to carry out the wishes_of Dr. Hosking, seeing that it was with hi 3 money that the baths were to be erected. He moved an amendment to the report that Dr. Hosking's wishes be carried out. Cr Rigg said he would second the motion in order to create discussion on the matter. Ewington said he failed to see how the work could be carried out by the Engineer for the money, when, various contractors in the town could not do He would like to hear the specifications read, as they were most unreasonable. The conditions were sucn that it was impossible to tender satisfactorily. The Council had no right to take the risk of erecting the baths for £SOO. The Mayor said it was the duty of the Council to facilitate the scheme, for which the money had been given. It was the Doctor's scheme, and the Doctor's money, and surely he was entitled to say how the work should be carried out. Cr Ewington asked on whose authority the Chairman had consulted Dr. Hosking after the tenders had been called. The Mayor: On mv authority as Mayor. . Cr Ewington, at this stage, wished to move an amendment that 1 fresh tenders be called, but he was ruled out of order by the Mayor. Cr Ewington: Your refusal to take the amendment is on a par with your other actions at the Council meet-, ings. The Mayor: That's all right. Cr Temple asked the reason of such stringent specifications. It seemed to him as if they had drawn n up with a view to blocking tenders, and having the work effected by day labour. Tne Mayor said they would either have to carry out the scheme or return Dr. Hosking bis money. The Mayor's amendment that Dr. Hosking's wishes be carried out was then put to the meeting, and was declared lost, the Mayor and Cr Elliott supporting it and Crs Ewington, Temple and Rigg voting against it. Cr Ewington then rose and moved his previous amendment as a motion to the effect that a committee of the Council be set ud with a view to calling fresh tenders and submitting them to Dr. Hosking. The Mayor said he could nut accept the [motion until he had interviewed Dr Hosking on the matter. Cr Ewington: Then you refuse to accept my motion. ' The Mayor: Yes, until I have se.a Dr. Hosking. The report of the Works Committee was then adopted. DR HOSKING WITHDRAWS HIS OFFER. y

DISGUSTED WITH THE WHOLE PROCEEDINGS. ANOTHER USE FOR THE MONEY. "I WILL uABLE FOR £SOO WORTH OF RADIUM IN THE : MORNING." Interviewed hy a Wairarapa Age representative last ovening, l,Dr Hosking, expressed great indignation at the manner in which his wishes had been treated by the Council. "I've had enough," said the Doctor, "and I'm disgusted with the whole proceedings. I withdraw the offer, and 1 will instead cable Home for £SOO worth of radium first thing in the morning—it will probably serve a more useful purpose in the interests of science. You can make this announcement public, | for I intend to keep my Wurd." N