THE WAIMATE ADVERTISER THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1902. THE HIGHER TENDER.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 260, 25 September 1902, Page 2

THE WAIMATE ADVERTISER THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1902. THE HIGHER TENDER.

From a purely business matter, resting entirely with the Waimate A. and P. Association, that body’s placing of its annual printing work has assumed proportions which have dwarfed all other events in this world as far as the “ Waimate. Times ” is concerned. On Tuesday that journal, in a lachrymose article, dealt with our note of Saturday, which was, this literiry critic avers, couched in our “favourite scurrilous style.” This truthful journal denies distorting its “ report ” to suit its own ends, and quotes from a local published the same issue in support of its contention, carefully avoiding the fact that in what purported to be a report of the meeting a paragraph of criticism appeared. Our contemporary may not be aware of the fact, but it is “ contrary to

precedent or common sense” to in any way criticise in a report. That should fulfil its name and any criticism should be reserved for the leading or local columns as the occasion warrants. We are taken to task for not reporting the “ doubtful circumstances ”'and for furnishing “ no figures and no reason for favouritism given.” Certainly we did not, for we did not and do not yet consider there were any doubtful circumstances, and the word favouritism is out of place. The Times’ proprietor knows as well as anyone the circumstances under which he left, the membership of the A. and P. Association, and it was because of this being brought before the meeting that he lost his heart’s desire. We can assure the Times’ pioprietor and the public generally, that the decision was as much a surprise to us as it could have been to him, although we were extremely pleased to see the Association take such a fair and sensible view of the case. They

■were under no obligation toaccmu the lowest or any tender, as is usual in all tendering. Tin playful writer in the Times, however, after making a cdiaige ol insanity against us, reiterates his previous argument “ that the Association should not have invited tenders if it were intended to give the work to the highest tenderer.’’ Surely this must la drivelling idiocy. Did not the Times report Unit the matter was fully discussed in a general meeting and that the voting for a motion that the higher tender be accepted was carried by 18 to H r Does this look like arrangement ? Does it not look more like a substantial majority in favour of an action which was considered a proper one ? The whole article of the Times is a quibble, and if it spent a month over such stuff it would get no further forward. An old proverb says, “ Make hay while Ihe sun shines.” Perhaps Urn Waimate Agricultural and Pastoral Association has got tired ol shining and producing hay, Imnce the bray from the disappointed consumer. However, it was a very good meadow while it lasted, as we have taken the trouble to find out. Figures are to hand in case they are v% anted. We leave our contemporary to the “consolation” it lit ids in (he condolences of certain members who are said to have called at the office and expressed indignation at the “ injustice ” done. Seeing that a few years ago the members were asking themselves whether they were working for agricultural interests or for the printer, such “ sympathy would seem to lie a spurious brand. Any we have seen are congratulating themselves that at last the Association is able to have a little money for itself. Lhat pretty tale about tradesmen refusing subscriptions because the Times did not get the printing tender also needs more confirmation before any “ sane ” person would believe it. The Times was never so dear to "Waimate people unless it were in its printing charges. We make bold to say that if in the past our contemporary had not been so anxious to malm friends with the Mammon of unrighteousness it would not now 7 have to lament o\ei the natural result of such a union.