SEWER LAYING.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18138, 30 July 1924, Page 14

SEWER LAYING.

CO-OPERATIVE CONTRACTS. SPECIAL TERMS PROVIDED. The Christchurch Drainage Board held a special meeting last night to consider a report from the Works Committee relative to the letting of cooperative contracts for the sewer-laying operations now in progress as part of the drainage extension scheme. The Works Committee recently held a conference with representatives of the cooperative workers regarding the proposed terms of the co-operative contracts. The meeting was attended by Messrs Walter Hill (chairman), H. J. Otley, H. Holland, J. W. Beanland, S. C. Bingham, W. R. Casey, A. T. Smith, F. Burgoync, H. G. Livingstone, E. H. Hamilton. The Works Committee reported as follows: The committee recommends the addition of the following clause to clause 9 of the general conditions, to enable parties of co-operative labourers to tender for the Board's works.

Clause 9a —The Board shall, at the request of the contractor, provide all plant and tools required to carry out thi3 contract on the following conditions: —(1) The plant and tools to be kept in the highest state of efficiency by and at the contractors' expense; (2) a deduction of 10 per cent, of cost of plant and tools will be made from each and every pr gress payment made by the Board until the plant and tools arc paid for; (3) on completion of the contract the plant and tools to be sold by auction by the Board, and any sum owing to the Board will be deducted and the balance paid to the contractor. The Board shall, at the request of the contractor, provide any material specified or required for the carrying out of the contract, and deduct from the progress payments a sum sufficient to defray the cost of the materials supplied. In the event of any contractor being unable to deposit the sum required under Clause 25 of the general conditions, the Board will make a further j deduction of 10 per cent, from the progress payments until the amount of such deposit has accumulated. Under the interpretation clause of the general conditions, the word '' contrac-. tor" shall include "contractors." The chairman said the Works Committee had carefully considered the matter after a conference with some of the' co-operative workers. Mr H. J. Otley, chairman of the Works Committee, who moved the adoption of the report, said it had been found necessary to allow the co-opera-tive men a certain amount of latitude and assistance, and the committee believed that the proposed addition to the ordinary contract terms would assist the men and protect the Board. The new clause would stand good for any man or any body of men who wished to tender. The Board could not make a distinction between different tenderers; all had to be treated alike. In reply to Mr Hamilton, Mr Otley said that at the completion of the contract the plant would be sold by auction.

The chairman said that.clauses 1, 2, 7, and 8 of the "deputation's proposals had been struck out, and clauses 3, 4, 5, and 6 retained. It would be necessary to have the new clause, 9a, put into proper legal shape by the Board's solicitors. Mr H: G-. Livingstone said it would be better to take 10 per cent, of the progress payments instead of 10 per cent, of the cost of the plant in order to provide for plant and material. The chairman s.-tid the estimate was that tools and plant might amount to £2OO. / Mr Livingstone moved as an amendment that 10 per cent, of the progress payments should be retained. The chairman said the special subcommittee had recommended what Mr Livingstone desired, but the Works Committee had made an amendment. Mr Livingstone's amendment was seconded by Mr Hamilton, who said that the first deduction of 10 per cent, from the, first payment would more than cover the cost of the tools and plant, which would then become the property of the men.

Mr H. J. Otley said that tools would be purchased all the time the contract/ lasted. The alteration had been made for the benefit of the men in order to give them a longer period within which to pay for the tools. Mr W. E. Casey said the deduction of 10 per cent, only would lead to overhanging payments after the close of the contract if further tools were purchased during the currency of the contract. The matter was being made very complicated. The chairman said that the deduction from the contract price would provide for any such outstanding liabilities on the. part of the men. Mr Otley said that if the contract was half-finished and then turned in, a difficulty might arise. The chairman said the Board could account for whatdeposit it desired, and there would be a substantial sum in hand to protect the Board against breach of contract. Mr Livingstone said that, as the clause stood, if on the sale of the plant a deficiency resulted there would be no means left to make it up." Mr J. W. Boanland said that after the first few payments there would be a sufficient margin to protect the Board against the loss. Mr Livingston'B amendment deleting the words "of cost of plant and tools" in sub-clause 2 was put and carried on the voices. The report, as amended, was adopted. The chairman said the new clause and the conditions relating to the cooperative parties would be perused by the Board'B solicitors. Mr S. C. Bingham said the Board's contracts so far had been very small, and it might be better with a large party, of co-operative men to let them a bigger contract. Mr H. J. Otley said the reason why small contracts had been let bo far was in order to expedite the work. The chairman said the two next contracts might bo advertised aa one or separately. Mr Otley siaid that was done with the previous contracts. A man could tender. for one or more.. The chairman said there was a prospect of outside competition if larger contracts were let. Mr Otley said it would be better to call for tenders either for the jobs Separately or several together. Mr Hamilton. said if the contracts were made larger contractors from other parts of New Zealand would be willing to tender. The chairman said the supply of eon crete pipes had not yet caught, up to the demand, for the pipemikers wanted additional time to allow the pipes to mature before delivery to the Board. Mr H. J. Otley said there would b* no delay in securing supplies of pipes. had impeded delivery was the fact that the Board for existing eontracts required pipes of varying sizes.