A TENDERER'S MISTAKE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 16992, 20 October 1915, Page 9

A TENDERER'S MISTAKE.

APPLICATION TO DRAINAGE BOARD.

Last night the Drainage Board disctssed an application from a contractor, who was tho succcssfuJ teuderer for certain work for tho board,' thac ho should bo allowed to add £5 to his toi dor, as an error bad crept into tho addition of tho various amounts when ho sent his tender in.

The chairman (Mr W. Hill) said that a mistake- had been made, as when tho different amounts had been totalled up it had been found that £5 had been omitted.

Mr H. J. Otloy said that he would object to the application, as it would create a bad precedent. If they allowed it in this case mistakes might be n.ade in future tenders and similar applications would be made to the board.

Mr S. A. Staples contended that as a genuine error had been made in the addition the amount should be allowed. In any case the next lowest tender was a good deal more, and to allow the amount would not affect the position verv materially. Mr lf\ Burgoyne supported Mr Otley's view, stating that he would vote against tho application. Tho chairman said that although a genuine error had been made it was doubtful whether it was right policy for the board to allow the addition of the amount.

Mr H. Holland said that lie would support the application, as the mistake had been quite unintentional and the an ount of the tender was a good deal lower than the others. After further discussion the contractor's application was granted on the •v oic'es.