Correspondence.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1037, 15 February 1879, Page 3

Correspondence.

(Our correspondence columns are impartially open to ally but we do not in any way identify ourselves with opinions expressed therein.) Sib, —It was some time ago proposed that the. Newcastle Highway Board regularly publish a report of their proceedings. Nothing, however, has been done in that direction, and recent events go far to show how necessary it is to have everything made public. A few days since, tenders were called for road work nearWhatawhata. Three tenders were sent in, of which two were informal, and the other correct, though of a high price. One of the informal tenders was rejected, on aooaunt of its informality, and the other informal tender was accepted, while the correct tender was declined, and upon the tenderer writing for an explanation, his letter was treated as impertinent, and no reply was sent. The fact is, the doings of the Newoastle Highway Board, are becoming too secret altogether. Although they have a secretary, at £2O per annum, several trustees strongly objected to the proposal that the proceedings be made public, yet it was pointed out that it would entail no expense whatever on the Board. If some such step is not taken, and informal tenders continue to be accepted, intending contractors will have to leave the Newcastle Highway work in the hands of the favored few, and send their tenders where they are likely to receive fair play.—l am, &o. "Whata* WHATA.