THE DEVONPORT WAITING ROOM.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 15, 19 January 1898, Page 2

THE DEVONPORT WAITING ROOM.

A QUESTION OF "EXTRAS."

At the meeting of the Harbour Board yesterday afternoon some time was spent in discussing a question of improvements made at the waiting-room Victoria Wharf, Devonport, without consulting the Board. The question was brought up in consequence of Mr W. Gunson asking for a return of the expenditure in connection therewith. It appears that originally the Foreman of Works estimated certain work could be done for £60. Other improvements were taken in hand, and when the whole was finished it was found that £186 7s lOd had been expended in extras in addition to the £60. Mr Gunson therefore wanted to know who was responsible for the "extras" and why the Board was not consulted when it was seen the work would cost so much.

Messrs Bell and Henderson each protested against the Board's money being spent in putting' linoleum down on the iloor of the waiting-room, and thought that both the Chairman and Foreman of Works had exceeded their duty. Mr Htichbury made a heated attack on the Chairman for his action in the matter.

Mr Gunson said when an estimate was given for Harbour Board work andiit was subsequently found.that it would cost much more than the estimate that the Board as a whole should be consulted. It was notorious the amonnt of " extras" that came, before the Board in connection with some of their work.

The Chairman said he took the responsibility in the whole matter, and eventually the discussion dropped.