CEMENT PRICES FALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 61, 13 March 1929, Page 10

CEMENT PRICES FALL.

MOUNT ALBERT'S DILEMMA. DIFFERENCE TO CONTRASTS. FRESH TENDERS CALLED. There was a drop in the price of cement yesterday of 6/8 per ton. This fact was announced at last night's meeting of the Mount Albert Borough Council, and as tenders for work on the New North Road had closed yesterday afternoon, the council was in a dilemma. Mr. T. H. Langley, who Is chairman of the Works Committee of the council said he had been advised that there had been a fall in the price of cement only that morning, and as that was the day for the receipt of tenders for the road work , mentioned, he was strongly of the opinion that tenders should not be opened until tenderers were able to notify the council whether they had received the benefit of the new prices of cement. Mr. Begbie, acting engineer, said he had been officially informed of the fall of cement pr'/ s only that morning. He took it that all tenderers were not aware of the reduction. The difference it would make to the tenders would be between £260 and £270, as the reduction had been fi/8 per ton. He would suggest that the matter should he adjourned for three or four days to enable him to get in touch with the 1 tenderers. It was a well known fact that after contractors had tendered for for a job they discussed prices among themselves, and compared notes. Under the circumstances the engineer suggested that new tenders should be called. On the motion of Mr. B. Brigham, it was decided not to open the tenders; to call fresh ones returnable by next Tuesday: and that the meeting "of the council he adjourned till that date, when they would be considered. The Mayor: That's the fairest wav.