DESPERATE CONTRACTING

Northern Advocate, 13 June 1931, Page 2

DESPERATE CONTRACTING

RIDICULOUSLY LOW QUOTES. i ADVANCE PRICE. GRANTED; Contract tendering in the Whangarei district continues to ho on bedrock values. Another instance of this was given yesterday, when the twelve tenders received for supplying 1000 yards of metal on the Jordan-WaioturHuke-renui Road were all below the engineer's estimate of 5/- per cubic yard. It was significant that a contractu* who hadi done considerable work in the, same locality last year quoted the highest. The average length the stone will be carted is about two miles. The engineer said the metal would come from two quarries,'Forsyth’s and Alexander’s, one similar stone to Ruat.augata, and the other clayey. It would require hand-breaking. The lowest tenderer yesterday was .T. Reid? who quqted at 2/3. The next on the,list quoted at 3/- a yard for supplies from one quarry, and 3/3 for the other.

Several councillors expressed the opinion that the job could not be done for the money, one holding that it was outrageously low. Mr Reid was called in, and said; that ho had; only had time to inspect the contract for a few. minutes. Hu realised that he had put in a very low pried, but was prepared to abide by it.

Or T* ST. Blake said he- did. not like to turn down such a favourable tender, but at the same time the council, should bo sure that the- work' would ’he completed. He suggested that an addition bo made to the price of the tender.

, The chairman said that the council was having considerable trouble from some contractors in wages demands* and. so forth. The engineer stated that the present applicant had always been satisfactory in this respect, and Cr Stephen said that he 'had done excel: .lent work in his riding.

After speaking with the chairman, Cr F. Elliott moved that the tender be accepted at an advance of sixpence- on the- price quoted, which would still leave it. below: the next cheapest. In doing so he impressed upon the contractor that a job "fully up to specifications was expected. In other ridings contractors had not done their work thoroughly, and the excuse had been that the price was so low* f Mr Elliotts suggestion was agreed to, - .

Mr'A. J. McKay:.'’'"* 3 this procedure quite' in order?” The Chairman; “Yes.” Cr Elliott; hope so.” ' The Chairman: “It is a better procedure than giving a concession after- ; wards. - s Maunu Hill Metal, The , only other tendqrn dealt "With yesterday were .for the supply of 2670 . yards of metal for the widening on'i Matrnii Hill, Four were received, the ‘ lowest, that of J* Walker at 1/5, being ;; accepted,