Day Labour v. Contract

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 260, 25 September 1902, Page 3

Day Labour v. Contract

DISCUSSION AT COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING. Some discussion took place at the Council meeting yesterday as to whether the Council should purchase a horse and harness to do its small carting for bridge contracts. Mr Ross asked whether the Government grants for bridges were not going lo be used for work done by contract. The Engineer said they were going.to be done by day labour. Mr Walker strongly urged that all these works should be done by contract. By his own experience he was certain that these works could be done more expeditiously and cheaply by contract. They should not drift into a system of day labour. Mr TLirdie was in favour of colling tenders in every case where rlie work could be definitely laid down. Mr Bremner pointed out that the works were for labour only, the materials having been procured. Ho was certain that with a reliable gang of men, with whom he had experience before coming here, be could get the work done very much cheaper by day labour. In renewing old bridges it was impossible to anticipate the materials required. Mr Walker thought the Council did not consider the ratepayers' interests by adopting universal day labour. Besides, men on public bodies did not as a rule work in the same way or as quickly as men on c mtract. Mr Bremner said be let nothing by day labour that could be more advantageously done by contract. In be cases under discussion be was thoroughly satisfied with the men employed and considered the work would bo done cheaper than by contract. Mr Walker urged that the remaining bridges be let by contract. If the man in question was the export be was presumed to be be should have no objection to tendering. Besides, bo thought chat if they bad tried their own immediate district they could have got men who were thoroughly competent for bridge building without going to the North Island. Mr Ross said a ratepayer bad asked him whether the Engineer had brought two or three men from the Nortu Island. He said be did not know of more than one. Mr Bremner said be loft the man to select bis own men from where bo chose. Any man who wished a job and was competent could go to the bridge and ask for it. In answer to Messrs Rhodes and Walker the Engineer said the man from the North Island was working' foreman at 11s per day. The original cause of discussion was then brought up, and a motion that a suitable horse be purchased was carried, Mr Walker against. It was decided to advertise for a suitable horse, the local members to select it. It was proposed by Mr Walker, s condod by Mr Ross —“That tenders bo called for labour only for the balance of repairs to bridges, and in all cases where the sum for labour exceeded £2o.’' Speaking to the motion, Mr Walker said there was about £IOOO to be expended in material and labour, and it was neither fair to the men of the district nor to the ratepayers to follow the day labour system. The motion was lost, only the mover and seconder voting for it.