STATE HOUSES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22685, 24 March 1937, Page 15

STATE HOUSES

MORE CONTRACTS LET

THE SUCCESSFUL TENDERERS SATISFACTION. WITH PRICES [BY TELEGRAPH —I'RESS ASSOCIATION"] WELLINGTON, Tuesday Information connected with the State housing contracts in ('hristchureh and Johnsonville was released by the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, to-day. .Mr. Savage said the G'hristehurch houses had been grouped into 28 different contracts, two large contracts comprising 16 houses each, and the remaining 20 contracts comprising one house each. The work had been subdivided in this manner to give ample opportunity for both large firms and small builders to tender in competition. There had been a satisfactory response, and the number of tenders received had been 00. Jt hu.il been decided to award one large contract to the J. J. Construction Company, Limited, and the other large contract .to V. A. Sharp, provided satisfactory schedules were completed. Contracts for six houses would be aw arded to Dal ton and Cordell, contracts for two houses would lie awarded to h. G. Bonniface, and a contract for one house would be awarded to G. H. A. Edwards. All the contractors above-mentioned were the lowest tenderers for the respective contracts awarded to them. Tenders for lo of the houses have been declined, an<> further tenders for these houses will be shortly readvertised. In regard to the remaining two contracts, several tenders have been received, but decision has been postponed, pending the completion and investigation of the schedules. Further Contracts Promised

"It is to bo,hoped,'' said the Prime Minister, "that the builders will take steps to commence at the earliest pcssible moment, and I can guarantee that by the time this initial block is completed other contracts will be let in ('hristchureh.

"Tenders, closing on March IG, were recently called for the construction of five houses at Johnsonville. Each house was treated as a separate contract. The lowest tenders for four of the houses are those of Higgins and Arcus, who have therefore been awarded four contracts. Tho successful tenderers for the filth house are Mustard and Good.

"It. is interesting to point out that these tenders were called mainly to give the small builder an opportunity of showing what lie could do compared with the larger firms. It has been ! suggested that, by calling for the I building of individual houses, the Gov- i eminent could effect a saving of JJl">() a house on the contracts awarded to the Fletcher Construction Company, Limited, and Higgins and Arcus, in Lower llutt and Miramar. Best Possible Prices "Included in the Lower Hutt and Miramar contracts are the same five designs that were used in the Johnsonville contracts, the only difference in the work being that the Johnsonville houses will be erected on sloping ground. \\ hen the prices were adjusted for the difference in the foundation, the tenders of Higgins and Arcus for four houses were practically identical with the accepted tenders for the same designs in the Lower Hutt and Miramar contracts. Three of these designs in the original contracts were awarded to the Fletcher Construction Company. Limited, and one to Higgins and Arcus. "The fact that Higgins and Arcus obtained contracts for 38 houses in the large scheme at Miramar and at the same time obtained four out of five individual house contracts at Johnsonvillo against allcomers is conclusive proof that the department has received the best prices possible."