The Opunake Times. FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 1895. ELTHAM ROAD CONTRACT.

Opunake Times, Volume II, Issue 99, 14 June 1895, Page 2

The Opunake Times. FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 1895. ELTHAM ROAD CONTRACT.

Messrs O'Sullivan, Collins, and O'Donnell state in their letter, which appears in another column, as a fact which cannot be disputed, that " the work was performed strictly in accordance with the arrangements made by the county chairman and engineer—these arrangements were ratified by council and we were instructed to proceed with the work." For their benefit, and that of the unfortunate ratepayers who are asked to stump up, we give hereunder a copy of the specifications, and also a copy of variation made in the contract by the Council and signed by Mr Collins on behalf-of the firm. We tliink we may* safely leave these to speak for themselves, and for the public, after looking at the job, to say whether our remarks, to which they take exception, were warranted or not.

SPECIFICATIONS FOE COVHUCT SA.

The work starts at the Main South Road and terminates at the 1 mile peg (opposite Harrison's house) being 80 chains more or less, and comprises the forming up of the road, putting on gravel, culverts, -drains, watertables, &c, as hereafter described.

Formation.—The road to be formed up for a width of 20ft, properly cambered, all uneven lumps or hollows to be picked off or filled up as the case may be, and the whole left an uniform surface, before the gravel will be permitted to go on. Auy deep ruts to be filled with spawls. Any large stones protruding above formation level to be taken out or broken down.

Gravelling.—After the formation has been approved by the engineer the contractor is to procure, cact, and, spread gravsl to a width of 12ft, and an average thickness of 6in (15yds per chain) for 51 chains. Side boards are to be used and backed up with 2ft of clay, slopes to agree with camber of metal.

The gravel to be the best procurable and to contain 75 per cent of stone, to be subject to the engineer's approval. No soil or vegetable matter will be permitted. No stone larger than will pass through a 2\in ring. All stones up to Biu diameter to bo broken down to the gauge or under before leaving pit. A spreader will be employed by the Council, who shall assist the contractor in spreading the gravel, maintaining the line level. See., of the work, see that the quality of the gravel is up to the mark, and that no large stones are put in. The contractor shall take instructions from the spreader in the engineer's absence, any difference between them to he referred to the engineer for his decision which shall be final.

In getting stuff for backing or formation the contractor must not make holes along the road but must be guided by spreader or engineer where to take.

Water-tables to be formed along both sides, and where practicable. Ditching.—From the culvert at about

62 chains to about 1 mile the old ditch to be cleared out, and remade, improving line, &c, where possible equal to 2ft by 2ft. At the culvert at 62 chains clear the outlet to original size for a distance of 3 chains. At about 62 chains fix an 18in box of Sin heart of rimu 22ft long. Also give price for 16in pipe instead. Traffic.—The conti*actor is not to impede or iuterfere with the traffic of the road [Here follows time, penalty, deposit, and tender clauses.] Work.—The engineer will insist on the work being done in a proper aud workmanlike manner, aud to his entire satisfaction. Mr Collins interviewed the council with regard to the contract, when the following variation was made and signed by Mr Collins on behalf of Messrs Sullivan and Co. VAEIATION OF CONTRACT SA. This contract is varied by substituting river bed shingle with blinding for the gravel. The river bed shingle is to be put on the road to an average depth of 6in. The shingle is to be all spawled down to 3£in and the top stones again broken down to 2.Un. The blinding then put on Sin thick. No stone larger than 2fin in the blinding. Blinding taken from same gravel pit. The other work as previously spcciSed. Blinding to satisfaction of engineer or other person under authority of Council. I accept the above. Thos. Collins, On behalf of Sullivan and Co.

[Sii ce the foregoing was in type we learn that Mr McHannegan, the Parihaka fireman, under instructions from the Council has inspected the work in company with the contractors, with the result that Messrs Murphy and Hickey have been put on the contract to complete it by putting on a further quantity of broken stone, and then blinding it. They have also to make watertables, which were duly specified, but not done by the contractors, so that there is no doubt whatever, left now, if the contractor's demand for payment had been acceded to, they would have received money for work which they had not done, which would be nothing more or less than robbery of the ratepayers' money.]