PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACT BUNGLE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1479, 24 December 1881, Page 2

PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACT BUNGLE.

We have to bring under notice a circumstance calculated to excite grave doubts in the public mind regarding the care and efficiency of the Public Works Department. The blunder into which it has fallen on the present occasion, is the more reprehensible, inasmuch as it is an exact repetition of one committed by the department some years since, and for rectifying which Government was mulcted in a sum of £1300. The lastnamed arose in connection with the construction of the railway bridge at Ngaruawahia. No provision was made in the tender for keeping the channel open for river traffic during the construction of the work. The result was that during its progress fresh arrangements had to be made with the contractor, and the latter having the "hank in his own hand," made, it is understood, rather a good thing out of it. Be that as it may, a sum of thirteen hundred odd pounds had to be disgorged by Government, and if we remember rightly, other less valuable concessions were made in the shape of an extension of time for completing the job. Altogether, it is known that the omission waa a gain to the contractor, and, as a matter of course, it became a corresponding loss to the public. Blamable as the omission was on that occasion, what is to be said now that .ye fiud it repeated in exactly the same form in the case of the railway bridge in progress at Hamilton. The thing is incredible, but still we have the best authority for stating it is, nevertheless, true. As a preliminary to the erection of that structure, a temporary bridge, a few feet above the water level, is being constructed. About a third of the river has been already spanned, and unless prevented from going much further rather a nice complication will arise between the Navigation Company and the contractor. Of course neither of these parties has got anything to fear ; it is Government that will have to pay the piper. The probabilities are the company are only waiting until the obstruction to the navigation becomes, ripe enough for a Supreme Courtinjunction, and as for the contractpr it is, equally possible he views the situation and its eventualities with the greatest complacency. Indeed we oannot think either of them are to be Eitied, It is the Government that is to c commiserated, and then, Tinder all the circumstances, it is just a question whether it" is not more deserving of blame than pity. However that may be, a bungle has been made, and the sooner a remedy is provided the better. In any case both public money and time will have to be sacrificed.

MrE Geo. A. Laidlaw, Te Awanratu, announces the , co-partnery of Laidlaw, CooK & Co. : " Meetings are announced of the Young Mens Christian fellowship Association at Cambridge East. Mr D. Kempt, surgeon dentist, announces engagements at Hamilton and Cambndg|. J f-_ f -_ Kincabq's v cheap . CUriatmas goods are {announced tiy advertisement. . Amongst numerous other attractions the chief is a grand Christinas tree which ought to 'prove an irresistible attraction' to the younger members of ithe community.