CITY COUNCIL.

Evening Post, Volume XXII, Issue 48, 26 August 1881, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

An ordinary meeting of the Wellington City Council waa hold last night. Present — His Worship the Mayor and all tho Councilor s. The levels of George-street were formally confirmed There were sevon tenders for the formation of Port-street and Stafford-street, that of Mr. R. Lyon being accepted. The tenders for leasing the Market Hall Reserve were referred to a committee, with power to accept the most favourable. The report of the Graving Dook Committee was read and adopted. It simply stated what had been done at tho conference with the Harbour Board, as fully roported in our columns at the time. The report of the Publio Works Committee was read, and considerable discussion took place on the first clause, which ran as follows :—": — " That, in order to avoid the trouble and annoyance arising from the assignment of contracts and of the moneyß payable thereon, the committee consider it advisable that a clause similar to clauses 14 and 23 of the general conditions attached to all Government contracts be inserted in the terms and conditions of all Corporation contracts, forbidding tho truck system and all suoh assignments, or the subletting of contracts, without the consent, in writing, of the Council." Councillor Brow;* said he waa afraid these clauaas would not meet tho case the Council had in view, that wa* to ensure the workmen being paid their wages. He mentioned that the clause forbidding subletting was quite inoperative, so far as Government contracts were concerned, and in fact it was easy to drive a coach-and-six through all the clauses. The fac f . was that, in tho struggle for bread, men without any means went in for contracts at prices which would not pay them. They themselves were all rii?ht so long as the work went on, but the unfortunate labourers had to suffer. Councillor Stafford thought that the only remedy was a change in the law. He mentioned that in Victoria a man could take out a summons for any amount up to £50 for Is, while here, if a workman wished to proceed againat a contractor, it would coat him from 10a to £1. The Mayor thought it hard on oontraotora that they should be prevented from assigning moneys die to them under a contract. Ho suggested, however, a clause should be introduced, providing, in cases of assignment, that the money should not be paid over until the Corporation were satisfied that all the workmen in the employ of the contractor bad been paid th»ir wages. Councillor Stafford pointed out that that would involve the Corporation in constant litigation. Councillor Logan added that the Corporation could not refuse to pay upon an assignment; if they did, the assignee could bug them upon the order. The Mayor replied that if that were so, he would be in favour of preventing assignments altogether.. Councillor Danks also expressed himself against assignments, remarking that under the facilities given by the Council, persons were tendering at pricea which they knew would never admit of their paying their labourers. Councillor Allen remarked that it was a well-known fact that labourers were at the mercy of contractors, and even had to submit to tho track system. Ha suggested that the question should be referred to m committee consisting of Councillors Stafford, Brown, Thompson, and Allen, to see if they could not draw up clauses to meet the exigencies of the case. This was seconded by Councillor Stai*. ford. Councillor Greenfield thought the mischief arose from the fact that the Council accepted tenders at a price which they knew could not pay the contractor. He Bugirested that when any work was to be tendered for, they should get the Engineer to make an estimate, and then only accept a tender which they thought would enable the contractor to do the work. If they gave the contractors a fair price, the men's wages would be paid. Councillor Thompson was of opinion that they could not do otherwise than accept the lowest tender. He supported the appointment of a committee. Councillor Newman urged that they should be more striot in enforcing the penalties

incurred by contractors. He believed tint the latter would then be more careful, and only send in tenders at a price which would pay them. The motion for the appointment of a committee was then carried Councillor Danks' name being added to tho list. '1 he remainder of the Pablio Works Committee's report was adopted. The following amounts were passed for payment : — General account, 15i 5d ; Wharf account, £8 10a 2d ; General account (recommended by Pablio Works Committee), £191 16s 7d. The Council adjourned at 9.20 p.m.