A HIGHWAY BOARD AND ITS ENGINEER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9401, 6 January 1894, Page 3

A HIGHWAY BOARD AND ITS ENGINEER.

[BY TELEGBAFH.— OWN OOBBESPONDEHT.] r Hamilton, Friday. The Kirikiriroa Highway' Board held its monthly meeting to-day. Present: Messrs. Gilleb, McLean, Gordon, Chifcty, and Coates (chairman). An outgoing letter was read by the clerk, addressed to Mr. T. G. Sandes, stating tbat while he (Mr. Sandes) certified to 4527 cubic yards of earth having been removed from the approach to the Wangamarire bridge, subsequent measurement by Mr. Nutter showed that only 3235 yards had been removed, adiscrepancyof 1292 yards at 7|d per yard, and asking for an explanation. Mr. Sandes had replied, asserting that his measurements were correct. ; A letter was sent to Mr. Fair burn to measure the disputed ground, and deride between Messrs. Sandea's and Nutter's measurements. Mr. Sandes had refused to give up the plans and specifications of the VVangamarire bridge contract. The contractor, who had been appealed to to refund the excess certified, wrote wondering, that the Board should have made .notch a demand, their engineer having certified to the amount due. ;On the : motion of Mr. McLean, the letter of Mr. T. G. Sandes was ordered nob to be received, as being insulting to the Board, imputing spite againsb members ot the Board in calling ' his measurements into question. With respect to the measurements, Mr. Fairburn, licensed surveyor, who was appointed by the Board to measure the cutting and decide between the measurements of Mr. T. G. Sandes and Mr. Nutter, reported that he had measured the work, and found that 3578 cubic yards of earth had been removed, or 949 cubic yards less than stated by Mr. Sandes. Mr, McLean said he was present when Mr. Fairburn measured the ground and gave the contractors every chance. Mr. Gordon stated that he told Mr. McLean to give every advantage to Mr. Sandes. They were bound to take action as guardians of the ratepayers' money. Mr. McLean moved that proceedings be taken against Mr. T. G. Sandes. Mr. Gordon seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously. It was decided to place the matter in the hands of Mr. O'Neill, solicitor, of Hamilton.