THE OPERA HOUSE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIII, Issue 15000, 8 April 1899, Page 3

THE OPERA HOUSE

' ; .10 THE EDITOR^ '. . Sib,— Allow me through \the- medium of your esteemed journal to seek information regarding the delay in connection with the erection" 'of tlie new theatre. At the last meeting tKe {Mayor reported that all the tenders received were too high, and that the committee; would report at. the" next fortnightly meeting. The conditions for the competition are very clear,, as the' fijst one states that "A design will be excluded from the competition if, after calling for tenders' tSo cost exceeds £3800," ■ while the last emphasises Ujp.same statement. (Apropos : The tenders .ought in fairness to the public and to tho competitors to have been published, and the matter kept above board.) \Tiie .Council's position is very clear : No. 1 .competitor having- wrecked on the test of tendering, is now 'out of the competition, ias completely us if he had never set pen to paper, tmd'No. 2 should at once be called • upon to caH for tenders. If he fails also, then call upon No 3, and so. on till one is found . whos,^ plans are true to estimate ond ciin be' done for he money. There is no other honourable course open, and if that ii riot followed the Council certainly will not be. keeping faith with the public and competitors, but will lay themselves open to litigation by those competitors who are possessed of sufficient commercial • knowlege und honesty not to promise more than they can give for the ' £3800, and as it jnay be a slow proceess to thus "boil the "designs down" it is to be hoped that no unnecessary delay will be allowed. As it has been stated that it is proposed to curtail'tfie'plans and get the tenders reduced accordingly to come within the money, I trust that no such unfair tactics will be allowed, which would be an injustice to the remaining competitors, a blemish on the town, and a probable pecuniary loss. Thanking you in anticipation for space for this epistle, — I am, etc., SPECTATOR.