GREAT CONTRACT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21344, 19 November 1932, Page 12

GREAT CONTRACT

MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY THE WELLINGTON BUILDINCPOSITION OF THE FUNDS LARGE SUM TO GO IN WAGES There were eight tenderers for the work of constructing the Art Gallery and Dominion Museum in Wellington, for which the Fletcher Construction Company, Limited, received the contract at £162,218 Is lid. Details of the tenders are:— A. T. Downer, £187,060; McLean and Gray, £184,440; W. Hodges, £181,357 3s 6c] j .7. T. Julian and Sons, £174,000; J. W. .lamieson, £175,585 0s lOd; E. F. Knight. £172,605 16s 6d; P. Graham and Sons, £167,509 19s 6d; Fletcher Construetion Co., Ltd., £162,218 Is lid. The architect and quantity surveyors' fees, wages, and clerk of works, and administrative expenses bring the total cost of the undertaking to approximately £185,000, inclusive of the £14,000 already expended on flic demolition of the old prison building, on the approaches and steps, laying out of grounds, architectural competitive awards, and other incidentals. The work is to begin early in the newyear and the time limit imposed by the contract is three years from March 31 next.

At a meeting of the board of trustees, at which the' contract was let, much discussion centred round tlxe present finances of the board, which are insufficient to enable the board to finance the completed building scheme without some element of risk. It was shown that there is actual cash in hand to the extent of £57,000. This was supplemented by subscriptions promised but not paid (including the Wellington City Council's donation of £6000), which are, on a conservative basis, estimated to realise at least £13,000. Investments ancl Subsidy The board's investments will earn interest for a time, to which the Government £1 for £1 subsidy will accrue. It was considered that from these receipts the board could safely commit itself to an expenditure of £149,000. In addition, there is the promised donation from the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, which is to be paid over on the sale of the present Whitmore Street property. This also will carry the Government £1 for £1 subsidy. In tho course of the discussion it was stated that the members of the Board of Trustees had been faced with the very considerable difficulty of determining the proper course of action in view of the financial depression, but eventually it was decided to accept the lowest tender for the full building project, reserving the right to omit a portion of the building of a value of approximately £20,000 within 12 months from the commencement of the contract. It was confidently anticipated that when the citizens of Wellington realised the difficulties of the board, they would respond by immediate payments of promised donations and by supplementing the fund with further contributions and ensure the completion of the whole scheme. In placing the contract for the complete scheme the trustees were influenced by the stimulating effect such action might have on industry generally in relieving unemployment, as it is estimated that over 80 per cent of the amount of the contract will be paid for labour. Outstanding Subscriptions

In handing out the statement from the board, Mr. G. A. Troup, a permanent trustee, who, when Mayor of Wellington organised the campaign for funds for the project, said he was naturally pleased that they had at last come to the point when they were to go forward with the actual work of the building, though he would have been a good deal more gratified had the difficulties arising from the depression not been encountered. " Originally," said Mr. Troup, " the sum of £93,000 was promised for the fund. Up to date the sum received and interest on investments would bring the amount in hand up to £72,000. Of the outstanding subscriptions there was £6OOO from the City Council, and the £15,000 from the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, which would be in addition to the £93,000. To date a sum of £I4OO has had to be written off owing cither to the bankruptcy or deaths of subscribers. There may possibly be further sums to be wiped off on the same grounds, but it is anticipated that these will not aggregate a large sum. Mr. Troup expressed the hope that now the contract had been s ; gned, outstanding subscriptions would be forthcoming. New Zealand Material " With the exception of the steel and copper, the whole of the material to be used will be products of New Zealand," said Mr. Troup, "and the Unemployment Board is confident that 80 per cent of the money spent will be paid out in wages to tradesmen and labourers.

" Tho magnitudo of the undertaking involved in this great building project," said Mr. Troup, "makes it the most important from a civic point of view of any undertaking in Wellington." 'I lie whole of the facade of the building is to be faced with Putaruru stone, similar to that which encases the carillon tower, but the sides and the rear walls of the building are to be finished in concrete cement.