GREY FIRE BOARD.

Greymouth Evening Star, 4 December 1911, Page 4

GREY FIRE BOARD.

TENDERS FOR NEW STATION. A meeting of the Greymouth Fire Board was held this morning, when there were present: Messrs J. Steer (chairman), G. Perkins, J. Jackson, and A. C. Russell. Six tenders were received for the erection of the new Fire Brigade Station., the architect for which is Mr H. Bastings. The amounts were as follows; £ •' H. Winterburn .. 2451 0 0 Bell and Chapman .. ... 2500 0 0 J. Drake .. .. . 2195 17 6 W. Hill '. 2060 0 0 E. and W. Sweetman .. 2247 11 5 One tender was rejected as it did not include the £SO contingency provided in the specifications. Mr Russell* said that before the tenders were finally considered he would like

to say a few words on the matter. The Board had borrowed £ISOO for the erection ot the building and now the sum was creeping up till it was £2060. He did not think that the expenditure of such a sum was justified as the situation was not at all central. In any case, they should not commit themselves till the insurance representatives had given their opinion on the matter. He did u6t feel inclined to commit the ratepayers to such an expensive building. The Chairman said the position was that the Board expected to put up a building to 'cost about £ISOO. They; however, did not wish to spoil the building for the sake of an extra £3OO. Of course, the above tenders in the present instance exceeded the architect’s estimate, and it would be no hardship on anyone to leave the matter over til! the statutory meeting, which was fixed for Tuesday, 12th inst. If tlie tenders were too high the plans could be amended so as to reduce the cost. He moved in that direction. Mr Jackson said that he saw no advantage in leaving the matter over until a full meeting. There was no use in spoiling the building for the sake of an extra £2OO. The present plans provided for a really fine building, and it might cost a good deal afterwards to bring a modified building up to the standard of the building’ shown in the plan. They had borrowed £ISOO, and it was three months since the plans had been put in hand. The interest was going on all the time. The Chairman said that this was not the case. The Board only paid for the money as they drew it. Mr Jackson said that if that was the case he saw no objection to letting the mat,ter stand over till the next meeting. Mr Perkins seconded the motion. The cost of the present building was oiSßfl £2OIO. for the tender provided for £lH| contingency. The job was a straight-out one and very few extras would be required. The motion was carried. Tlie Secretary was instructed to write to the Borough Council in reference to various matters connected with the erection of a temporary building during the erection of the new station. Tlie statutory meeting was fixed for December 12th. The meeting then adjourned.