A.WATER SUPPLY CONTRACT

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5567, 16 May 1896, Page 7

A. WATER SUPPLY CONTRACT

AN UNFORTUNATE POSITION.

The Waimakariri-Ashley Water Supply Board has been called upon to deal with another difficulty in connection with one of its contractors. Mr D. M'Grath, who has large contracts at both the Brown's Rock and Cooper's Creek races, has not put in appearance at the works for some weeks, and attempts to discover his whereabouts ;have been futile. On Thursday his employes on both works, to whom, according to their own statements, about .£925 are due in wages, consulted Mr Kippenberger at Oxford as to their position. As a result of the interview a deputation from the men waited on the Water Supply Board in the afternoon. Mr R. Meredith accompanied the deputation. The Hod J. M'Kenzie, who was present at the meeting, asked the Board to deal as liberally with the men in their unfortunate position aspossible. Mr J. M'Nalley, who acted as spokesman, said the deputation represented about forty men who had been employed by Mr M'Grath on the Brown's Rock contract. At the present time there was .£620 due as wages, claims for which had been produced to Mr Kippenberger. In reply to a question as to how much was due to M'Grath when his contract was completed, Mr Webster, the engineer, stated that the amount was .£340, in addition to which the Board held the securitymoney of .£35. The amount paid to him was Mr M'Nalley contended that the application the men had to make was to be paid the .£375 to the credit of M'Grath, and an additional sum of .£250, for which they would complete the contract. The Chairman said the Board was anxious to do its best for the men, and if the application was put in writing, together with a statement of each man's claim, it would be considered. Mr Toomey, on behalf of the workmen on the Cooper's Creek Race, stated that .£296 was due in wages, and the men were willing to complete the contract for the money which would be coming to M'Grath, namely, ,£361 10 a. The Board also agreed to consider this offer if put in writing.