CORRESPONDENCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21145, 1 October 1930, Page 4

CORRESPONDENCE.

WAIAREKA' ROADS. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Would you please grant me space to explain why I attended last Friday’s meeting of the Waitaki County Council. Your readers will probably remember some years ago, I pointed out that the council had been carrying on road works without first calling for tenders, and I produce figures winch showed that the work W|Os not being done as economically as it might* be. The council is at the present time gravelling the WaiarekaWeston road with gravel from, M'Fadgen's pit at Enfield, a distance of 10 miles from Waiareka Junction. Public tenders were not called. Some years ago, at considerable expense, a loading bank was constructed at Ngapara for the expresspurpose of handling gravel, and I have been endeavouring to ascertain why, the loading bank and the railway service are not being used, for the WaiarekaWeston work. The member for the riding, who was prominent in getting the loading bank, now says that the work is being done by motor lorry at Gs fld per yard, which is the lowest price for many years. He goes on to state that three lorries are delivering 60 yards per day, making an average, of 20 yards per day per, lorry. Allowing 6d per yard for finding the gravel, the county is paying at the rate, of £6 per loriy per - day. With all due respect to the riding representative, I would point out that his arrangement is not nn economical one, and had tenders been called, the county would have saved at least £l, 5s per day per lorry, for it is usually acknowledged that £4 15s per day is a really good price. This means that the county is paying £22 10s per week more than if tenders had been called. The member also seems to infer that the Railways Department would only handle 45 yards a day on three days a week. Surely that is a reflection on the railways, and does not coincide with the information given to me. I would also draw attention to the saving and wear and tear oh 10 miles of road, if the gravel were to go by rail. Of course; I am assuming that the costly loading bank i 8 a success, and that 'ratepayers are not in for another Kurow metal farce. This point might be explained. Tlfe members also, refers to a royalty of 3d at Ngapara, but how can that be when the county has its own pit? Councillor Meek accused me of writing ffn abusive letter. As I would be sorry to do such a thing, I would be glad if you would publish the said letter which provoked from Councillor Meek such an unwarranted attack upon me. Your readers will see from the letter that it simply supports my contention that all works should be let by public tender. So far my queries are unanswered.—l am, etc.. G. Pheloung. (COPY OF LETTER.) Dear Mr Meek, I rang you up yesterday in regard to the removal of clay on Parson’s Creek road, which you stated was being carted away for banking corners on the Waia-reka-Weston road. To me, that is a needless waste of money, as there are plenty of banks on or near the road where clay could be obtained at little cost for cartage. I would also like to' know why tenders were not called. There have been a number of jobs carried through in the last two or three years without first publicly inviting tenders, and I think such a policy is wrong and unfair to the ratepayers. I would also like to know how much the council paid for the tractor used at the quarry in 1928 and who was the owner of the tractor. It appears that the council hassufficient funds to carry on unnecessary work, and this being the case, I would suggest that the nasty corner on Parsonage Creek road, which is distinctly dan-, gerous, and which has already been the cause of several accidents, be cut back. When I rang you yesterday about the matters your reply was scarcely courteous, and I felt that I would be compelled to seek the information through the press. However, in view of our past friendship, I thought you might prefer to answer me privately, and I would be pleased to have the information to my questions at your earliest convenience.— Yours faithfullv, G. PHELOUNG—Advt.