THE NIHOTUPU DAM.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 60, 11 March 1921, Page 7

THE NIHOTUPU DAM.

CANCELLATION OF CONTRACTS TERMS OF ADJUSTMENT. The City Council last evening con sidered the cancellation of Messrs. Lang lands*. Limited, contract, first in com "mittee and then in open counciL ' A decision was come to that with a new to facilitate a fair and equitable adjustment of the position between th« two parties, the following terms tx granted, subject to validating legisla tion: — Payment of the retention moner 10 per cent, about fe,2nf Work done at quarry and stores.... 1.2.V Release of bondsmen S.OOC plant 7.00( Total £22.4.->C All plant, etc.. will remain in the council's ownership. The value of this as per a report drawn up by the city engineer is as follows: — Plant not likely to be required, but now on the works, £1.500; stores taken over, £836; plant taken over and likely to be used in connection with the council's execution of the work, includins buildings other than those at wharf. £14,206: tram tracks, trestle work at wharf, including bins, etc., £5.699; stripping and developing at quarry, £700. j Total, £23.000. In addition the" commiti tee had decided to purchase from Meeers. j Lang/lands and Co. the following plant not automatically thKen over by the (council under the terms of the contract: ■Launch and two barges, etc., £1.539 16/; shed and office on Onehunga wharf £225: with sundry tools and stores at I Onehunga and, subject to valuation, the eottase on private property at Big Muddy Creek, assessed by Messrs. Langlands'and Co. at £300." Mr. J. Stanton, city solicitor, was present at the meeting and reported in connection with the cancellation of the contract that Langlands Ltd. had claimed no I legal rights, and he did not think it I could be seriously suggested that ir iHhoee circumstances they could make anj claim to compel either payment of their 'retention moneys, payment for the plant [or release of their bondsmen, nor did he I understand they made any such claim he could not advise the counct I that it would be safe in paying any sub ! stantial sum of money to Langlands Ltd., without obtaining validating legislation for the purpose. Such validatior had been obtained in other cases or [account of war conditions.