"A ONE-SIDED CONTRACT"

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 8, 9 July 1931, Page 5

"A ONE-SIDED CONTRACT"

"This is just another example of how one-sided the conditions of these Government contracts are and it seems that there is no redress," remarked Mr. J. W. Graham at a meeting of the Canterbury Builders' Association, when a complaint by two Auckland builders was being considered (reports the Christchurch "Star"). The Auckland Association stated that two contractors, who had carried out work in connection with the new railway station, had been compelled by the District Railway Engineer to pay for excessive insurance-during their maintenance period. : They considered that a very unreasonable interpretation had been placed by the Railway Department on their conditions of contract. Mr. Graham asid that, according to the interpretation of ' the conditions of contract, if the buildings were destroyed by earthquake three months after they were finished, the contractors would be responsible for restoring them. "How would it do to suggest that the Department should pay rent to the builders during the period?" commented Mr. "W. H." "Winsor. "The Government officials aro protecting themselves against any possibility of error on their part, and they aro Public servants, too," he added. "Well, there aro the conditions, and if any of you are thinking of takiug on railway jobs, largo or small, you had better look out," remarked the chairman (Mr. H. C. Jamieson).