PUBLIC WORKS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 13350, 7 April 1914, Page 7

PUBLIC WORKS.

CO-OPERATIVE SYSTEM BEING SUPERSEDED.

SMALL CONTRACTS FAVORED

(Special to Herald.) WELLINGTON, this <wy. The long-expected effort to substitute small contracts for the co-operative system of public works construction established under the late Mr Seddon's regime is now taking definite shape. Some small contracts were let by the Public Works Department when the Hon. R. McKenzie, Was Minister in charge. These were for sections of line where heavy rock or tunnel work had to be undertaken, this being difficult to carry out by means of co-operative gangs. Now, however, all classes of construction are being undertaken by contract specifications, for _ five small contracts to construct portions of the Waihi-Tauranga railway have been prepared, and it is expected that after Easter a start will be made on the Cul-, verden-Waiaii line under theTsame system. At present six small contracts are in operation on tlie Waihi-Tauranga line, six on the Gisborne line, and a few at the eastern end of the Stratford Main Trunk line. • These contracts can be undertaken by men with slender capital, as the Public Works Department hires out the more expensive gear, leaving the men to supply picks, shovels, and the first month's wages for, their employers. I hear that difficulty , has been experienced in getting tenders in some districts, the contracts being top small to attract experienced men who, do roadmaking for County Councils, while the co-operative worker on the railway has not become used to the new system, and is dubious over taking any^ of the undoubted risks associated with contracting* '