CALLIOPE DOCK CONTRACT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9145, 29 August 1888, Page 6

CALLIOPE DOCK CONTRACT.

THE CONTRACTORS' COMPLAINT. Mr. Pierce Lanigan has sent the following letter to the Harbour Board, and it was read at the meeting yesterday -.— Sir,—lt is now three years and nine months my tender for Calliope Dock was accepted by your Board, and ifl had not been delayed I would have had the job finished and out of my hands within my contract time, namely, about 15 months ago. Yon are aware that I spared neither trouble nor expense to expedite the work, and to make the job one of the best finished, and most creditable of the kind in the world, and competent judges of such work all agree that I have succeeded in that. Unfortunately for me all my exertions and expenditure were to a very great extent thrown away, and I was prevented from achieving what I had set my heart on, namely, to complete the work within contract time, by my being delayed for want of proper detail plana, the machinery not being ordered in sufficient time, and otner causes, which you are aware arose from no fault of mine. Being, however, ub- ■ willing to cause your Board trouble, I struggled on through great difficulties, and finally | got finished about three months ago. I then requested the engineer to settle up quantities and prices with me, trying my best for two months to get him to certify to as many items as he thought right. He refused finally to certify to a single item, so we had to call a the arbitrator, and he has been going over ;hem now and then, as he could spare time, for the past month. But it is impossible for Mr. Ware to arrive at a correct estimate of the work in the absence of detail drawings, he not having been on the ground during the progress of the work, most of which is now covered up, and .the arbitrator is now trying to measure some of the work on the ground, which cannot be done accurately. Had proper detail drawings been supplied to me, as they should have been, these quantities could be settled in less than a week, but it appears I am not only to put up with the loss and inconvenience arising from the absence of these drawings when carrying en the work, but am now also to suffer in the adjustment of accounts through the impossibility of the arbitrator computing the quantities, owing to the want of these drawings. It is no exaggeration on my part to say that it has been far less trouble to me to do the work than it was to get instructions and orders, and although I knew I was nnwise in acting without written orders and directions in many cases, I was fairly wearied into doing so, because I could not afford to wait for them, as I would have to knock off the work when pumping water, and other expense would go on nearly the same as if in full work. I always comforted myself that £ was working for a Board composed of honourable men, who would treat mef airly, and who would look rather to the spirit than the letter of the conditions, and I now appeal to you, gentlemen, to help me in getting a settlement of my accounts. It must be apparent to you that the long delay, first, in completing the work, and then in getting settled up, is ruinous to me, and it is only because 1 almost despair of ever getting done with this matter that I write to you. The engineer has not met with the arbitrator and myself for some time, and we seem as far as ever from any result. I therefore beg you will take the matter into your consideration. —I have, &c., Pikrce Lanigan. The Chairman (Mr. Niccol) said that while the letter was being read he had been wondering what action the Board could take. The Board had never received any account. He had had the pleasure of seeing an account sent by Mr. Lanigan, but this was withdrawn, and an account was now submitted to the arbitrator, Mr. Ware, which he had not yet disposed of. Mr. Buchanan thought the only thing they could do would be to write to the arbitrator, and ask him to state how the affair stood now. The Chairman said he had thought of suggesting that a meeting of the Dock Co'mmittee, which as they were aware included all the members of the Board, should be called, and that Mr. Erringtcn and Mr. Ware should be summoned to attend and advise how the matter stood. He did not see what else they could do. Mr. Devotlb suggested thafe the letter be sent to the Board's solicitor. Mr. Clark, approved of this suggestion, and asked whether it would be judicious for the Board to inquire into accounts which were not before them. The matter had been referred to the consulting engineer, fand his report was not yet before them. Mr. McKknzie said that Mr. Lanigan appeared to have strong grounds for complainr. His complaint was that he could not get things brought to a head, and he made very grave charges. Mr. Bochanan said that practically they now hf.d only the contractor's letter before them, but if they obtained from Mr. Ware a statement of how the matter really stood they would be in a better position to judge, and he moved, therefore, " That the letter be referred to Mr. Ware, the consulting engineer and arbitrator, and that he be tsked to report as to how matters really .stood, and when the award was likely to be •eady." Mr. T. Henderson seconded this resolution. Mr. Devore reminded them that they had an engineer whom they should not ignore o: make hostile. He moved, as an amendment, " That a copy of the letter be sent to Mr. Errington, dock engineer, and that he be asked for an explanation." Mr. Stone seconded the amendment. The Chairman, before putting the amendment, said that time would be saved if his suggestion was carried out to hold a meeting of the Dock Committee, and summon the dock engineer and the consulting engineer to attend. However, he would pub the amendment proposed by Mr. Devore. The amendment was put and carried.