THOSE TENDERS

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 22, 28 January 1901, Page 1

THOSE TENDERS

LIVELY ROAD BOARD MEETING. SEVERAL CHALLENGES. Things took a breezy turn at the last meeting of the Whataupoko Road Board, the main subject at issue being the recent acceptance of a trader other than the lowest. At the outset a discussion took place in regard to the minutes, Mr Joyce raising the point as to why he had not been informed of the meeting. The Chairman explained that it was quite an oversight that Mr Joyce had not been informed of the time to which the meeting was adjourned; he had to go out to the country himself, and had thought other members would have informed Mr Joyce. Though he much regretted the oversight, there was no irregularity about the meeting, because the Board had previously resolved that the tenders could be opened by . three members, and four were present. He went on to explain the Board’s reason for refusing the lowest tender, it being about a third below the estimate, and it being considered that the gravel to be supplied would not all be of the quality required. A letter from Mr Moate was first read, contending that the Board should have accepted the lowest tender so as to have so much more to spend in roads. Then a long letter was read from Mr Peryer, stating that the price he had put in for the oontract in question was a good paying price, and he challenged proof to the contrary. He added that he had got Mr Jones, contractor, of Matawhero, to look at the work, and Mr Jones was prepared to take it up at a less price than he (Mr Peryer) had tendered. Mr Peryer was present and desired permismission to address the Board. Mr Sievwright said the matter had been practically disposed of already. He did not see the propriety of allowing Mr Peryer to come there to expound his views to the Board. There must be. some finality about the matter. The Chairman: That is my opinion. Mr Joyce: It is not mine; there is a lot of common logic in this letter, which should be analysed. If an error has been committed we should examine where it lies, and try to rectify it. Ido not say you can alter what has been done—we are all liable to err. As against the estimate thero are four other tenders beneath it, and it was nothing extraordinary for the tenders to be less than the estimate. But we should listen to a complaint; not burk it and smother it up. If there is any complaint to make let us hear it. We are all, I hope, acting for the general benefit of the ratepayers. Mr Sievwright: Mr Joyce misunderstands me if he thinks I want to burk it. Mr Joyce : It would look like it, sir. Mr Sievwright: We had dealt with the matter. Mr Joyce: If we commit an error Mr Sievwright: It would be a different matter if we had committed an error. The Chairman said that this discussion was not in order, and it would be necessary for someone to move a resolution. Mr Joyce: Well, I want the man to be heard.

The Chairman: I must ask you to obey the chair. Mr Joyce : I will; but the chairman has not asked me yet. The Chairman: I ask you now. Mr Joyce : I am not speaking angrily. Mr Sievwright: You should move a vote of censure, if you are not satisfied. Mr Joyce: I will do what I please. The Chairman : I insist on the dignity of the Board being kept up. You are out of order. If you wish to bring anything up you should move a resolution. Mr Joyce : I will do that bye-and-bye. The Chairman: I regard the letter as impertinent. There has been no error. If the Board sits here, and allows people to come and attack me as chairman of the Board, and as one who gives his services free to the ratepayers, it is not right. Mr Sievwright; Hear, hear. The Chairman: I feel it very much because —you forced me into speaking like this—l give my services and then am attacked in this way. The statement made is not borne out in regard to these tenders. Two of them are above my estimate, £BO, and this man’s tender. If you have anything farther to say I wish you would move a resolution. Mr Joyce: You asked if,any member had anything to say. The Chairman: I did. Mr Joyce: I want to speak. By Mr Sievwright’s suggestion you said that I was ont of order. I fail to see it. The Chairman: Well, you are out of order now. Mr Joyce: I do not criticise your actions personally. I said that if an error had been made The Chairman: Are you going to move a resolution ? Mr Joyce: I contend that as a member I have a right to speak on every subject that comesbefore theßoard. You should nothave held the meeting without giving notice. Mr Sievwright: The question is whether Mr Peryer’s letter be dealt with. I move that it be placed on the table, Mr Ranger: I second that. Mr Joyce: I move that the gentleman’s letter be discussed; I think it only fair. There was no seconder to the amendment, and the motion was carried. At a later stage Mr Peryer said he would like to address the Board, and his claim was upheld by Mr Joyce, who said that as a ratepayer Mr Peryer was entitled to be heard. The Chairman: He is not a ratepayer. Mr Peryer: Excuse me, I hold a receipt for it. The Clerk, on the matter being referred to him, said that Mr Peryer had been a ratepayer, but was not now on the list. Mr Sievewright said he was quite willing that Mr Peryer should be heard on any other subject, if he had any other matter to bring forward, than what had been deoided. Mr Ranger took a like view. The complaint previously referred to had been dealt with, and there was nothing to gain by reverting to it now. > Mr Peryer said he only wished to speak for five minutes. The Chairman said that he was not to speak on the subject dealt with. Mr Peryer: My deposit has not been returned. I will give it to the Hospital if it can be proved I could not do the work at the price. The Chairman: I must ask you to stop. Mr Peryer: You are not prepared to put up £5 against me. (Laughter.) The Chairman: lam not a betting man. Mr Peryer: You are not game to back your opinion. The Chairman: Sit down, please. Mr Peryer: It seems very unfair that you will not let me explain. The Chairman: The matter has already been threshed out. Mr Joyce; In the name of fortune why do ydu want to burk business ? In accordance with the Act you have not held a meeting at all., The Chairman: If you have a complaint Mr Joyce: Yes, I have a complaint. The Chairman: You wont come here and bully me—you sit down. Mr Joyce: I will not sit down. The Chairman: Then I will have to adjourn this meeting. Mr Joyce: I have a proposition to make; whenever I attempt to do anything you and Mr Sievwright go at me. ■ The Chairman: Why, you are always talking. Mr Joyce: Excuse me, you are always absent from your'duty. - ~ £he Chairman; Mr Joyce, will you—n

Mr Joyce: You were not The Chairman: If you are going to allow Mr Joyce to go on like this I can’t stop it. Mr Joyce: Stop what ? The Chan-man : You going on like this. Mr Joyce: You don’t like the truth. Mr Ranger (rising): lam not going to sit here and listen to this sort of thing. _ 4 The Chairman: It is disgraceful—it is the same always. _ , Mr Joyce: You were absent from your duty. The Chairman: You are making an untrue accusation. I refer it to the Clerk to say if I have not been the most regalar attendant on the Board. l r our remarks are most uncalled Mr Sievwright: It is extremely discreditable that such language should be addressed to any member, more especially to the Chairman, who has given such attention to the affairs of the Board. , , Mr Joyce: Not a word of it was out of order. Mr Sievwright: I have never opened my mouth to say anything against Mr Joyce. Mr Joyce: You have. Mr Sievwright: He is such a hot-headed gentleman Mr Joyce: lam just—l don’t want any burking of business. I move that in future no tenders be accepted except at a- regular meeting in accordance with the Act. Mr Sievwright said the motion was not regular, as there was already a resolution that three members could deal with tenders. The Chairman: I Bay this with calm deliberation : Mr Joyce comes here and makes everything unpleasant; he delays the business of the Board; gives unnecessary trouble and annoyance, causes ill-feeling on the Board, and states that this_sort of thing is m the interests of the public. If this kind of thing is going to continue I will resign. It is not right to the ratepayers or to the public; it is undignified to ourselves and to the whole Whataupoko district that we should come here and squabble. We should do our work with deliberation, and not have a man coming here, raising his voice to the top, and making accusations that have no justification. I have made no accusations against Mr Joyce, but he makes accusations against me right and leit about things which have not even come within my knowledge. Mr Sievwright: Mr Joyce is the only honest man on the Board: you must not speak disrespectfully of him. The Chaiiman: If this occurs again I shall go straight off the Board. Mr Joyce: I defy anyone in Whataupoko or elsewhere to state that I have done anything not upiight, honorable, and beneficial as far as my judgment goes Mr Sievwright: And your temper. Mr Joyce: lam not like you; I don’t think the ratepayers would miss much if you resigned. The Chairman: You had better resign, and I will do likewise. Mr Joyce: You would not get back. I will not resign. lam put here by the ratepayers to look after their interests. The Chairman : I am willing to resign, and for us both to contest the seat. Mr Joyce : You have no right to make the sweeping assertion that I have made accusations. The Board then went on to deal with the accounts.