BOROUGH CONTRACTS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 392, 2 September 1911, Page 5

BOROUGH CONTRACTS.

To the Editor. Sir, — I should be thankful to you j if you would allow me a few lines in j your paper to make some remarks re ; the decision of the Works Committee j of the Borough Council to let their work on the contract system. As one i who has had a good few years practical j experience in the class of work done | under the Borough since last February : I have no hesitation in saying that the work has been done cheaply and well If the work had been done on the con- , tract system (so strongly advocated by the present Works Committee). I have. J no doubt in saying the work would j have cost as much and not been carried j out as well. The letting of the Borough carting by contract is open for criticigin by all fairminded people. In very few places in New Zealand has carting been done so cheaply and wel' as in Te Kuiti under the days wages system. The men who brought teams from outside this district deserved as much consideration, when the carting specifications were drawn j ud. as local horseowners. By the con- ] ditions of the carting contract this has not been accorded to them. Could any man (other than local with other work to do) put in a price for six horse work under the conditions. One day they may be required to work the full six horses, the next day perhaps two j and so on. How is the outsider to live j when he has little hope of securing ; work for the horses not required by j the Council. The carting contract in | the opinion of a good few, has boon ! drawn up to suit local people. In ; conclusion I may state that all the re- j ouirements of the teamsters who came . from outside have been obtained from ; local merchants, and a good sum of money haa thus been kept in the district. Thanking you in anticipation. —I am, etc., FAIR PLAY.