BOROUGH PUBLIC WORKS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 3, Issue 809, 2 July 1881, Page 2

BOROUGH PUBLIC WORKS.

[To the Editor of the WaibarapaDaily,] Masterton, July Ist, 1881; Sir,—There i'b much ado now about the public works of the Borough, how they are contracted for and how the contracts are carried out, which, to most well-informed men must appear to be done both by the Council (who has the letting of them) and the contractors, in a very loose manner. But there is often times a great quantity of work'ordered by members of the, Council without any contract at all. 'Why should this bs ? There is much of this can be pretty well understood.' One man jumps up and says, "I am the Borough Engineerand I have often heard him say," deduct this ortlnt from my salary, and I can order this or that." I do' not understand this statement. If any man in the Council receives a salary as engineer it is wrong; if he wishes. to* be C.E, or draughtsman to the Boroughiet'him resign hia office of Councillor and seek the appointment. I thinks too,.'that-if-the Borough has such officer'it would form a part of his duty to see how the contract for the Kurupuni platform station road is feeing proceeded withNl ■am, qf opinion that the, Council, composed of men who count themselves to be competent judges ofi labor; should'hot accept as a rule the lowest tender. I consider myselfia judge of such work; and;before the was 1 taken ijy'the man- Yors I estimated its. labor value to be at the least M 5. I■ sympathise with the con] tractor, because I believe he has commits ted a great error of judgment by tender-! ing so Jow. He perhaps, thought that half a loaf was better than' no bread, but the bread ho' 16 earning la' Very little in] deed, I have lecently passed ovor the road, and araj of]the opinion; that there iii more work yet to be done on it than any two men will do for the next two months.' Now,' Sir,"the public at'e waritirijjHhi^

%^"°P? n6 ? They haveu consented to j" Pfder that the ; advan-:|M •MHrtk .with regard to- this ■■wSmSa'A similar -character. P/ 1 " case towhich I hare referred 2 .ffierelhay probably b« a quilll | ty o f-v; totara or other valuable trees which if vi ,the.contr«fLi» ; propetlyllolßllea t become' thft. property of the, contractor, - and :"M jfctee c i .the...,.jpeciocations,./,.he_isjyhi^jgnH r tM (s!orkf: bn'dVbythe delaV : resbli.thd an extent not easily estimat^SHHHH| .'jhl ?i:i 'mbhti <;J #l. | ii Jail) yifsw'M' aiiAia