TE PUIA HOSPITAL

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22617, 21 April 1948, Page 4

TE PUIA HOSPITAL

PROGRESS PAYMENT BOARD’S LIABILITY (S.R.) TE PUIA, April 20. “The department is unable to concur with the board’s action in holding up payment of the February £SOO certificate issued by the board's architect,” read a letter received from the Health Department at the monthly meeting of the Waiapu Hospital Board on Monday. The letter drew the board’s attention to clause 18 of the conditions of contract which provided for a penalty if payment was not made on issue of an architect’s certificates. In moving that the February certificate be paid, Mr. H. Dudfield pointed out that the Health Department’s letter confirmed advice received at a previous meeting from the board’s solicitors, namely, that the board was legally bound to honour the architect’s certificates. He agreed, with permission of his seconder. Dr. J. L. Simcock, to add to his motion a proviso that the architect confer with the board before any further certificates were issued. After a lengthy discussion the opinion was expressed that the contractor had performed sufficient work to warrant payment of the February certificate and the motion was carried. At this stage the secretary, Mr. A. F. Griffin, asked: “Can I have a statement that board members will take full responsibility for this payment?” "We've no alternative but to accept full responsibility,” said the chairman, Mr. V. S. H. Rickard. “All board members are liable collectively and individually for such moneys.”