AUCKLAND HARBOUR WORKS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 148, 23 June 1908, Page 5

AUCKLAND HARBOUR WORKS.

THE ELECTRIC CRANES; LOCAL IRONMASTERS COMPLAIN. The matter of the electric cranes to be provided on the new Auckland ferro-cori-crete wharves was. brought up for discussion at this afternoon's meeting of ; the Auckland Board. Tenders were called on the 10th instant for six- i teen electric cranes, and one 80-ton floating steam crane. At this afternoon's : meeting a letter was received from the Auckland branch of the New Zealand < Ironmasters' Association, pointing out ! that the, conditions of the tenders, even as amended, entirely debarred all local : firms from tendering, for the following reasons: —(1) The prices are to be f.o.b. English port (2) The time is too shoro, as tenders are to close in London on 15th of August, really only 66 days after the date of the advertisement appearing in New Zealand papers. (3) Only firms which have executed a similar contract can compete. The New Zealand Association, it was further stated, considered it was desirable that the Board should extend the time for the electric' cranes until the 31st December, and that an alternative tender be asked for the manufacture ena erection of the cranes, complete in position, and that tenders from the Dominion be returnable to the Board's office in Auckland. In support of this request it was pointed out that similar cranes (excepting that the power is hydraulic) have been made by three New Zealand firms, against outside competition; that f.o.b. prices involved the Board in an indefinite ultimate cost, and that in the case of the steam cranes, the bulk of the work is likely to be done just as cheaply locally.