The Nightsoil Contract.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 578, 5 March 1891, Page 3

The Nightsoil Contract.

INSPECTOR AND CONTRACTOR.

Ar the last meeting of the Borough Council, Mr Doleman, nightsoil contractor, wrote denying the accuracy of the Inspector’s statement at the previous meering, that one-half of the town had not been started when it Should have been completed, the school being pnc of the places neglected. Tbe school boxes, he wrote, were always emptied at the proper time, and on tbe night complained of 18 out of the 15 boxes had been emptied ; the cause of the delay in regard to these two had been explained to the headmaster, and they had been attended to on the Monday. Regarding tbe disposal of nightsoil he said be had fulfilled the specifications, and as to abandoning bis contract he thought the remarks were premature until he had sent in p formal application. There was no report from the. Inspector, who said that the contractor had now a new man on, who, he felt sure, would do the work in a way in regard to which there would be no complaint. In reply to Cr Joyce, the Inspector said the contractor must admit there was room for pompldnt in regard to the school; the Custodian had drawn his attention to the matt<r. As to tbe question of calling for fresh tenders, he had certainly understood from the conversation he had with the contractor that the latter wished to be relieved from the present contract. Mr Doleman desired to make an explanation.'

Cr Whinray thought the matter might well end at that stage—the letter practically admitted the complaint, and it need be discussed no further.

Cr Joyce thought the Inspector was perfectly right in making his report. He, however, thought Mr Doleman should be Beard. Cr Warding seconded, and-thmight, after the sureties having been written to, the contractor ought to be heard. Mr Doleman denied that the school had been neglected, and go where they would th°y Wonhi find that he had given complete satisfaction When the Inspector jumped to conclusions in 'hia Way it got into the papers, people became dissati.fied, and said the boxes were not emptied for a month at a time, and the result was that be could not collect the money—it was from the public he bad to get bis money and not tbe Council. He had asked the Inspector to go round each month and see that the work was faithfally done. There were empty houses in whic-h the boxes were used, and be oould not empty those without being paid. Cr McLernon said there appeared to have been some fault to joatify the report, but bethought there was no need to discuss the matter further.

The Olerk mentioned that he had received several orders from individuals who had to gat some one to do the work, one being in regard to a house in Customhouse street. The contractor said the place mentioned had been attended to as of ten as would be thought necessary, and even then he had done the Woik at a reduced rate, After same further discussion tbe matter Wa* dropped. Tbe contractor mentioned the difficulty of getting in money for tbe work done. Tbe Mayor said is would be a good thing if they oould have the whole work done under tbe control ot the Council, as the collecting of the money gave a codtraotor more troubta than actually doing the work.