IMPORTANT DEPUTATION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3785, 14 April 1891, Page 2

IMPORTANT DEPUTATION.

[By Telegrawi.l

(United. Press Association,)

Wellington, Tuesday.

\ deputation of the Wellington Builders' Association waited on Mr Seiidon this morning to point out their objections to the conditions of the Government contracts. They asked that in the case of building oontraots the quantities should be supplied by the Government, instead of leaving each contractor to calculate them for himself. Mr Hales, Engineer-in-Chief, who was present, said as a matter of fact, no tender had ever been rejected on account of a faulty scheduLß. After some disoussion the subjdKdropped. In reply to a question pi4Pby * momber of the deputation, Mr Seddon said he objected to the principle of paying interest upon deposits made by way oi seourity, aud on those retained for undue time beforo being returned to the unsuccessful tenderers, , because if this was conoeded, interest would be asked for on other kinds of securities. Mr Hales remarked that ' it had lately been a practice of the Department to pay at schedule rates for extra work, The deputation asked that an arbitration clause be inserted in the contracts, to deoide disputes as to additions, or deviations from the plans, instead of leaving matters to the Engineer-in-Chief, but the Minister objected to the proposal on the ground of the cost, and also - because as a rule in arbitration cases, the Government must go to the wall. It was suggested that contractors be allowed to tender in a lump sum, and send in a schedule afterwards, but Mr " Beddon was strongly against this, as a workman would not be doing himself justice, unless'he had everything well calculated before tendering. • i • - Later. The Builders' Deputation offered a strong objection to a clause in last year's Lien Bill which enabled people to override the provisions of the bill by a special agreement. They contended this virtually defeated the whole purpose of the till. The Minister said the Government had not yet decided what to do about the bill, but he promised to take the matter under consideration. The Minister asked the opinion on the new sub-letting oontraots. Mr Oarmichael said he did not object to the new conditions so lon 3 as they were made general. Mr Seddon contended it was certain that if the clause was-*.

striotly adhered to, it was in the interest of bona fide contractors, because it prevented others coming in and bringing down work to unreasonable prices.