METAL CONTRACTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13586, 7 May 1906, Page 8

METAL CONTRACTS.

TO THE EDITOB. Sib, — With respect to that quarry, men's "ring" about whioh Mr A. Johnston is exercising himself so much; I think my offer, as stated in my previous letter.to you, to supply tho City Corporation with metal for a term of years at the prices quoted in my tender, just accepted, shows conclusively that there is no fear of any future rise in tho price which tho counoil will be called upon to pay for its metal. The fact that Mr A. Johnston says that the' quarry proprietors refused to supply him with metal is no evidence of the existcnco of a "ring." A»y quarry proprietor would naturally prefer dealing directly with tho public bodies concerned than through private contractors. With regard to Mr Johnston ringing me up at 5 o'olock to inquire if I would supply him with metal for; his corporation contracts, I simply told him that, having myself secured contracts from the City Corporation and from the Drainage Board, I was not in a position to supply him with tho large quantities of metal for th« delivery of which, I understand, ho ha« contracted with the City Council.— I am. etc., GEOROE QAIP^JS, Nort)j-Esst' May, 5 t