CONTRACTORS KEEN.

Wairarapa Age, 25 March 1924, Page 5

CONTRACTORS KEEN.

FOR RAILWAY WORK. GOOD TENDERS RECEIVED. Last year the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. J. G'. Coates) decided to call tenders for three sections of the East Coast railway, totalling 18 miles 18 chains. It w T as stipulated that the work should be completed within three years from March, 1924. The tenders have now closed and the competition has been keen. It is understood that big English and Australian firms, as well as New Zealand contractors, have submitted prices. The Minister’s object in obtaining public tenders for railway construction was twofold. First, he considers it desirable that a constructional department such as the Public Works should have the opportunity from time to time of proving that its own methods of construction and its costs of carrying out the works are satisfactory. Secondly, the creation of equipment of mechanical apparatus ahd plant to enable every work to be taken in hand under concentration, would involve the purchase of an amount of equipment which could not be continuously used. The letting of contracts to big construction companies would avoid the. necessity of the Government providing plant, and it is highly desirable that the 50 miles of completed railways from Tauranga eastwards be connected with the North Island railway system at as early a date as possible. The Government, he concluded, would not consider letting the contract unless the best tender received was entirely satisfactory.