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Arising out of this report it was decided in the future to advertise for tenders
for Imperial, Victoria, and York Stone.
The Victoria and Imperial Stone Companies being manufacturers of stone
only, would not engage to do the part of Road making, Gullies, Crossings, etc.;
therefore to admit of their tendering it was necessary to split the contract.
(1) Roadmaking, etc. (2) Paving. This necessitated the making of fresh
specifications, contracts, etc., but the difficulty of having two contractors in the
same road has given rise to a lot of trouble and divided responsibility, besides
keeping the work in hand longer than would be the case if one contractor were to
do the whole. Seeing that great difficulties would arise by this system, I
reported as follows to the New Streets Committee:—
"New Streets Surveyor's Department,
"Vestry Hall, Walham Green,
"26th March, 1891.
'To the Chairman and Members of the New Streets Committee.
"Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen,—
"I beg to suggest to the Committee the advisability of including both
"Paving of Footways and Roadway in one specification. The principle of
"separating them has already caused great delay in getting the footway
"contract signed, thereby delaying the roadway. I do not feel disposed to
"give the order to commence one contract until at least the other contract
"is signed. Moreover, instead of the system of dividing the contracts
"proving more economical, so far, I think, it has been more costly, and I
"am of opinion that Road Contractors, knowing that they will not get the
"footway contracts, have increased their prices for the roadway, and as
"many times as the contract is split up there will be so many items for
"lighting, watching, and contingencies, whereas one would otherwise do."
The Committee having considered this report, decided to continue with two
contracts for the present.
I have the honour to be,
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
W. SYKES.