A Question of Surcharges.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIX, Issue 26, 27 June 1901, Page 9

A Question of Surcharges.

At a recent m< eting of the Limerick County Conncil the chair* man, Mr. T B. Mitchell, presiding, an important point was raited with regard to the question of accepting tenders other than the lowest. The Local Government Board auditor, Mr. Courtnaj Croker, in his half-yearly audit, pointed out that tenders for the county printing were received from two firms — Messrs. Quinnell, Tralee, at £375, and Messrs M'Kern, Limerick, £385, the latter being accepted. This action had caused an increased expenditure of £10, and the Councillors signing the cheques had on the half-year been surcharged £5. Mr. R. Coll, J.P., and other members looked on the course taken as the most economical one for the county, and the secretary added that if the Tralee oontraot was acoepted an additional expenditure of some £50 would be entailed on the rates owing to the difficulty and delay in having to send the clerical work

for revision to Kerry. On the motion of Mr. James O'Grady Delnwge, the Local Government Board were asked by resolution to remit the surcharges, the Council having been greatly handicapped by the olerioal staff which they had when the Act came into operation, and most of the officials being new to the work, and there being no misappropriation of funds in the matter.