A Local Grievance.

Observer, Volume XI, Issue 753, 3 June 1893, Page 2

A Local Grievance.

I must congratulate the proprietors of the JVe?v Zealand Herald on their enterprise in entering upon the construction oi immense and handsome new premises for the accommodation of their extensive and increasing business. These new offices will be amongst the most pre-

tentioas and striking buildings in Auckland, and the mere fact that the Queenstreet front will be six storeys in height is in itself an indication that they will b 9 a great improvement to the architectural appearance of the street. The cost of the structure, when completed and fitted up ready for occupation, will be considerably more than £12,000, and the establishment will be the most complete and bestappointed printing office south of the line.

It is a pity that when the Messrs Wilsons and Barton were doing the thing so handsomely they were not equally handsome with the architects of Auckland. In a recent ißsae, I made reference to the fact that these latter had been slighted by the selection of a Sydney firm to prepare the plans. It would certainly have been very gratifying to one of the local firms to have been entrusted with the plans for such an important work, and I am sure their design would have been quite as handsome and at the same time as well.planned aB any that would have been prepared in Sydney, Now, I find there is a strong feeling of dissatisfaction amongst builders and others for a somewhat similar reason. This is due to a report that a Sydney man is to be brought over here to supervise the work. Such a thing would be very deplorable in view of the fact that there are so many competent men in Auckland who are doing little or nothing, and who are capable of discharging the duties of the position faithfully and well. I have made some inquiry into this grievance, however, and I find that it is absolutely without foundation. No one is being brought here to supervise the work. An Auckland architect has beea engaged for the purpose, and he alone will exercise the necessary supervision.

Another matter which seems to have caused some bitterness of feeling is that before these tenders were ever called, several of the local builders were asked if they would give estimates for the work* They cheerfully did so, but in every instance at considerable loss of time and worry to themselves. And when they submitted their estimates they were each told : ' Ah, thank you, this may be of some advantage to you at a future time. You will have an opportunity of tendering for the work.' This is scarcely an equitable method of getting estimates for a work of this kind. The time of these builders is of some value to them, and if they were asked to devote a week or a fortnight to the work of preparing an exhaustive estimate such as the one in question, they should have been paid for it if the contract was not let to them. This has always been the custom! Mr Firth, I believe, gave a cheque to each of his tenderers. Strange that Messrs Wilson and Horton omitted to observe this reasonable custom. They are wealthy enough to pay for any work done for them, surely.