The Opunake Times. FRIDAY, MAY 15, 1896. THE JETTY.

Opunake Times, Volume IV, Issue 195, 15 May 1896, Page 2

The Opunake Times. FRIDAY, MAY 15, 1896. THE JETTY.

After several months of negotiations with the contractors whose tender was accepted for the re-erection of the jetty, the directors_ and contractors eould not coma to terms. The contractors insisted on certain terms being embodied in the general conditions which the directors would not bo justified in accepting, and as a result an ultimatum was sent that if the contractors did not accept the conditions under which the tenders were called that the contract would be cancelled. Acting i i accordance with this the directors on Friday last gave notice that the contract was cancelled. The directors meet to-morrow to decide on what steps will now be taken, and a general meeting of shareholders will bo held in about a fortnight’s time to receive the alternative proposals of the directors. We believe the Company could not do better than procure the limber themselves and call for tenders for labor, or if they, appointed a responsible and competent man wiio has had experience in such work then undertake the construction of the work themselves. This we believe would result in a saving to the Company, and would have -the advantage that as the work progressed if improvements suggested themselves they could be effected without paying through the nose for them to contractors as extras. It is not like as if it was a completely new work in which there was a great element of risk, but here they know from experience what the work is like, and all that we see is needed is honest and capable supervision. Before the jetty was erected in the first instance a good many thought there would be great difficulty in driving the piles, and for this contractors would naturally make provision in their estimate, but now that it has been proved they can be easily driven that element is eliminated. The most important point is the proper protection of the piles, and under the circumstances wo if any method would be so satisfactory as the company getting it done themselves. If the labor is tendered for then the contractors’ sole trouble Would he in the event of any faulty work, to elude the vigilance of the overseer, whereas if all the hands were ihe servants of the Company there would be no object in them doing so, but rather the reverse. Fifty or a bund -od pounds saved is nothing in comparison with the permanency of the structure which must be secured no matter what the cast.