GAS!

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5079, 17 July 1895, Page 3

GAS!

A DISPUTED CONCESSION. THE ENGINEER AND THE BOROUGH COUNCIL At last night's meeting of the Masterton Borough Council, after the Gas Committee's report had been read, Mr Geo. Heron (the Mayor) in moving the adoption of tho report, referred to the Committee's action withregard to Messrs Norbury & Trevor's complaint, that they had been unfairly treated in the matter of deductions on thoir contract price. After very careful consideration and hearing the Engineer's slatement.the Commit tee had decided that as Messrs Norbury & Trevor had faithfully carried out their contract, they were entitled to payment for tho pugging put round the walls, although it was takon from the bottom of the tank. As long as the pug was supplied it did not concern them where it camo from, and he was of opinion that tho action of the Committee in recommending that the deduction made by the Engineer be £4O instead of £GB, was the only fair course to all concerned. Cr Yates seconded tho motion, that the report be adopted. Cr Cullen moved, that tho portion of the report referring to Messrs Norbury and Trevor, he expunged, in common fairness to the rateand the Engineer. He did not think that Messrs Norbury and Trevor were very great losers. Such an action, as the Committee proposed, in the face of tho recommendation of their Engineer, would bo a very bad precedent. He felt sure that some of the Councillors who voted last evening, did not know what they were dealing with. (Cr Hornblow: "Nousouse!") It was not" nonsense," but perhaps as Mr L. J. Forde was present, the Council would allow him to speak, and explain the position. The Mayor said he did not know what good that would do, because they had already heard Mr Forde. There was no wish on the part of the Committee to give the ratepayers' money away, but they desired to act fairly to all parties. Cr Hessey said he was not clear on the matter, and would therefore second Mr Cullcn's motion pro forma. He should like to hear Mr Fordc's explanation, as he had acted as their Engineer. The Mayor said if the Council desired it, he had no objection to healing Mr Forde. Mr Forde, who was present, snid ■ the Council had overlooked a portion of the specifications. The Mayor; "I have- overlooked nothing, Mr Forde." The Engineer continuing said at | auyrate he was the sole arbitrator in i the matter between the Council and I the contractors, and he was determined to resist any effort to go against his statement. Tho Mayor said Mr Forde need nrft think he was going to coerce the Council into any line of action. Mr ' Fordo had plainly shown animus towards the contractors at the Committee meeting, The Council would act fairly without four or favour, | Mr Forde:—"Very well, gentle- • men, if you arc prepared to resist an ( action you can go against my statement. You can grant a bonus if you like, but you cannot go against my statement!" Cr Hessey thought that in fairness the contractors should ho allowed for pugging the sides, no | matter where the clay came from. Mr Forde: "I allowed for all that. I I allowed £25 which might have • been deducted." Cr Cullen said Mr Forde had been appointed their engineer and arbitrator, and the Council should abide by his decision. The work had been very carefully supervised. Cr Hessey said some of them were f not very clear on the matter yet, J would Mr Forde explain bow the £25 was made up ? Mr Forde said it was not likely that they could understand the matter clearly, as it was entirely one for experts to judge, and he . should much prefer the Council submitting the matterto outside experts. Ho was not being treated fairly at all. He had endeavoured to give \ the Council a thoroughly good job, I and by making the deductions lost three or four pounds commission ] himself. Such being the case was ' it likely he would act other than fairly ? Mr Forde.nt length,then explained to the Council how he made up the ( sum of £25, which he states be allowed. Instead of deducting 167 ' yards of pug for the bottom he had only deducted 109 yards. -l The Mayor here interjected that ! nothing had been allowed for tho bottom at all, so that part fell ■ through. Mi Forde said the Mayor was mistaken, Hehadalsoonly deducted | 114 yards in the sides, instead of 139, | and he had not deducted for six ut yards of concrete, which ho ordered r to he left out. The contractors bad ;' also saved hetweeen £4 and £5 by ' using the Council's timber as scaffolding. He would again point out that the Council did not understand the position, as it was one for - experts to deal with, The Mayor: "I understand the matter perfectly, aud quite as well as Mr Fordo." , Mr Fordo: " Pardon me. Sir, you do not!" The Mayor:—"lf you don't mind, Sir, you will have to sit down." Cr Hessey thought Mr Forde had shown that he had made considerable concessions. j Cr Cullen said they ought not to . go against their Engineer, who had most carefully attended to his work. The Mayor said no one denied for a moment that Mr Forde had not given every satisfaction. But this ' was another matter. Cr Feist, as a member of the Gas Committee took exception to Cr Cullen's statement, that thoy did not understand the position when making the recommendation they had done. Cr Cullen was mistaken; tho matter had been fully explained by Mr Fordo before the Committee arrived at its decision, and the position was clear. Tho only faircouvso to Messrs Norbury and Trevor was to allow the sum recommended. Cr Cullen still maintained that Crs did not understand the position clearly. He thought Mr Fordo quite right, and if there was any animus it wbb on the side of Messrs Norbury and Trevor. He was with Mr Forde, if all the Council were againßt him, Cr Cnllen'a motion was then put and lost, on division, Crs Hessey, Mutrio and Cullon only voting for it, and Crs Hornblow, Yates, Wagg, Feist, Chamberlain, Perry, and the Mayor, voting against the motion. The report was then adopted as read, and the matter was allowed to drop. :