TENDER ACCEPTED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 96, 4 December 1939, Page 5

TENDER ACCEPTED

WHARF RENEWAL

APPROVAL OF PLANS NECESSARY

When the tenders for the reneAval of the wharf were considered at Friday's meeting of the Whakatane Harbour Board it was revealed that the lowest tender was approximately above the estimate for wharf reconstruction. After some discussion it was decided that the tender of Mr A. Davies be accepted subject to confirmation of Mr DaA'ies' ability to carry out the work, and subject also to the approval of the plans by the Marine Department. Mr A. F. McGougan asked whether it Avould be possible to make the wharf stand another tAvo or three year's wear. "War may be on for some years," he said, "and it might be better to postpone the matter." Mr C. H. Biebner, Consulting Engineer to the Board, said that the inevitable result of an endeavour to maintain the operation of the present wharf would lie a progressive increase in overhead costs. The Secretary, Mr G. G. Lucas, explained that, assuming that the estimates for the current financial year AA r ere adopted, and the IoAA-est tender accepted, the board would face a deficit of approximately £2000 This figure, said Mr Lucas, could perhaps be reduced to £1500 if some expenditure were curtailed. Mr R. Ruddick said that the ucav AA'harf is badly needed and the board should not stop because of an increase over the estimates. Mr Rud•dick's vieAA r Avas that the board should accept the loAvest tender.

Agreement with this opinion was voiced by Mr G. A. Brabant when he said that the work should be proceeded with even if an overdraft was necessary. "There is no doubt that the work needs doing," said Mr Brabant, "and should be put in hand immediately. The board should accept the lowest tender with the stipulation that the job be commenced on acceptance." "I also am in favour of proceeding," said Mr W. R. Boon. "If it were a case of raising rates I would be against it. The longer we put it off the more expenditure in maintaining the present wharf. I will move that the board accept the lowest tender on the condition that the plans are approved by the Marine Department." Mr C. Tickner questioned the acceptance of the lowest tender on the grounds that there was not much difference between it and the next. He pointed out that the lower tender of the two could prove to be the higher if jointing of the piles was found to be necessary, as there was a difference in favour of the second price in regard to the driving and jointing of the piles."

The Chairman of the Board, Mr J. W. Sumner, stated that the engineer had reported that little difficulty was likely to be experienced in finding a sound foundation and it was improbable that the piles would have to be joined and driven further. The motion to accept the lowest tender was seconded by Mr McGougan and put to the meeting as stated.