CONTRACTOR'S APPEAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20363, 18 September 1929, Page 12

CONTRACTOR'S APPEAL.

"MUST FULFIL AGREEMENT."

TRANSPORT BOARD'S DECISION

A request from an engineering firm to be relieved of a contract entered into for tho supply of tramcar wheels, needed in connection with tho tramcars now in course of construe! ion, was refused by tho Transport Board yesterday. Tho firm, William Cooko and Company (New Zealand) Proprietary, Ltd., applying through its solicitors, reported that on July 30 the board awarded it a contract for £1438 for tho supply of wheels to be manufactured in England. It was afterwards discovered that tho firm's London office had made a clerical mistake and had quoted a price for a different article from that specified by" tho board. While the firm was prepared to proceed with the contract, although it would involve considerable financial loss, it appealed to tho board to grant relief. After it had been pointed out that the wheels wovo urgently needed, it was decided, on the motion of Mr. A. J. /Sntricun, to call upon the firm to fulfill iis contract. "This is the first time wo have had a case of a firm not wishing to go on with .its contract," romarked the chairman, Mr. J. A. 0. Allum, "but in futuro tho board may have to ask for a higher bond from contractors and sureties iu a substantial sum." At present tho required in such casos amounts to 5 peir iceat. of the contract prico.