COUNCIL AND CONTRACTOR.

Auckland Star, Issue XXXVI, 21 October 1905, Page 6

COUNCIL AND CONTRACTOR.

(By TeleirapE. — Own Correspondent) "WHANGAKEi, Friday. The proceedings were rather warm at the special meeting of the Borough Council to-day, called to consider the resolution passed at the ordinary meeting held on September 12, to the effect that the tender for the supply of limestone metal at 6/5 per yard be accepted. Councillor Steadman said the tenderer had expended £700 in preparation for his contract, and the bond presented for his signature was unjust, there being nothing stated therein which could compel the council to purchase a solitary yard of metal from the contractor. He had also heard the "Vfayor state that if the council needed the* metal any time it was not obliged to procure it from the successful tenderer, who, he considered, was being used.

The Mayor said that Mr S-teadman's insinuations were absolutely unfounded. The specifications had included limestone and bine metal, and though the resolution referred to limestone only, it was understood that the council would procure blue metal from the contractor and though the resolution referred to limestone only, it was understood that the council would procure blue metal from the contractor whenever the council ini>rht reqnire it. He would repudiate Mr Steadman's suggestion that there was any intention of deceiving the contractor.

j Ultimately a resolution that the I council would procure all metal re- ! quired for two years from the contractor \va.» caried unanimously, and the m- - dropped.