DEEP CREEK CONTRACTS.

Evening Star, Issue 21931, 18 January 1935, Page 13

DEEP CREEK CONTRACTS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —The whole truth of the Deep Creek job has not been stated, only the bright side of the case presented. Some sections of the pipe line are much easier than others, and those men who have completed their sections on the right side of the ledger are extremely fortunate in that they struck it rich—more clay, less rock—whereas others have all solid rock under a veneer of eai’th —so hard, indeed, that the drills vibrate in synchronisation with contractors’ and men’s nerves. Some men have told me they have to “ go ” for their very lives, while others received no pay for three weeks during the Christmas period through exhaustion of funds. I understand the whole job has been costed by the council’s engineers, and that 60 per cent, is paid for completed work progressively, the balance when the respective sections are finished. The nature of the rock causes numerous breakdowns of the motor air compressors running continuously, which cause expensive delays in some cases; the cost of petrol and large quantities of explosives has been beyond the contractors’ estimates. Somebody is going te carry the baby; all I can say is “ wait and see.” Surely the ratepayers do not want their water supply brought in with sweated labour in some cases. If I remember rightly, when this job was put before the electors it was stated expressly that work would be paid for at day labour rates, and not _ various contracts let, with some sections so hard and stony of varying thicknesses.

I am willing to give particulars privately to any of the city councillors of conditions quite contrary to the article in your paper. Our worthy mayor states that if any contractor comes out on the wrong side it will be his own funeral. I ask is this fair? How can one tell what his section will be like? Let our ecclesiastical mayor remember Moses struck a rock and water gushed out; these men are doing this with compressors and drills. They cannot make wages, but water on their brows shows this is sweated labour in

many cases. Let those contractors who have finished well have another “ go they may find this is a hard world.— I am, etc., B.' E. Kite. January 17.