UNIVERSITY BUILDINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 121, 24 May 1922, Page 7

UNIVERSITY BUILDINGS.

TERMS OF CONTRACT. ATTITUDE OF BUILDERS. Mr. Tt. .T. Morris, president of the Auckland branch of the Ruildcra' Association, takes exception to Mr. Fowlds' statement with regard to the conditions of contract as attached to the plans and specifications for the University Arts Building. He says that the conditions are not the •overnment conditions, a.nd desires to point out that the'conditions asked for by the builders were not the builders' own conditions, but the issue of a lengthy conference between the New Zealand Institute of Architects and the New Zealand Builders' Association. "Knowing that this was a competitive design," Mr. Morris remarked, "the architects should in all respects comply with the laws and conditions of their own Institute. Had a member of the Institute been a successful competitor for the work he would have used the New Zealand set of conditions as agreed upon. This is not a Government contract, but money received from the Government for a competitive designed building." Mr. Morris went on to say that the conditions of contract had been used in connection with the erection of the Grammar School, the Mount Albert Boys* Grammar School, and all schools erected by the Auckland Education Board, also work done by the Hospital Board, and all private buildings erected in various parts of the Dominion. lie also remarked that the University engineering buildings in Symouds Street were erected under these conditions, which stood in the same position with regard to Government approval as the University building. "We have," continued Mr. Morris, "accepted the Dominion conditions of contract, and now unanimously refuse to tender only on those Vnditions, which must, nnd shnll apply to any work of a competitive character, other of course than Government buildings, which the Dominion terms of contract exclude." Mr. Morris further complained of a lack of courtesy on the part of the College Council in not communicating their decision after hearing the deputation from the Association.