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27
at the contract prices, but they both failed, as they found them
utterly unremunerative. The contract for the B Division made
on March 25th for three years, was at the low rate of 2s. lid. per
load, which included assistance in removing the dust, providing a
driver, cart or van, horse, harness, ladders, baskets, &c., and what
is now a very onerous duty, that of providing a shoot. Now as
the average is only a little more than four loads for each cart, it is
evident that the amount payable would not defray the cost. Since,
wages have risen, and the Contractor required assistance in June
and August, utterly breaking down in September. His sureties
then took up the contract, but lost so largely, that on the 12th
December they finally gave it up, and fresh contracts at very
highly increased rates were entered into for two years. This, however,
will form part of next year's report. The total number of
loads removed in the year for this Division was 11,424, against
11,924 for 1890. This decrease was small and below the average,
so that it is evident that a rather large accumulation had been
allowed to take place.
As regards Division C, the same thing occurred—the price
2s. 5½d. was much too low, and the new Contractor broke down at
the same time, and became bankrupt on 27th August. The
sureties then undertook the work until December 12th, when they
gave it up. The assistance by other Contractors reached the rather
large sum of £115 6s. 0d. for the C Division, and £97 17s. 8d.
for the B Division, which, with the difference in cost for the future,
will make a very large item. The total number of loads removed
in this Division was 12,029 at a cost of £1,530 7s. 4d., against
12,071 in 1890.
As regards the A Division little has to be said, as the contracts
were carried out by one firm, Messrs. Abbott, during the whole year
the price being 2s. 11½d. for the last part. The work was well and
systematically done, and carts and horses were supplied to enable
the Board to carry out the dusting when the plant furnished by
Mr. Potter and his sureties were not large enough.