CO129-028 - Bonham - 1849 [1-3] — Page 328

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the detailed estimate, were transmitted to England

in Report and estimate for 1848.

The Contracts and working drawings for the Aberdeen Road were all completed early in this year. I subdivided the work into 17 Contracts, (to suit the convenience of the generality of contractors who tender for such works at a distance from Victoria), and thus the whole work progressed very actively and I hoped to see at least all the earth-work quite finished before the hot weather, but as it proceeded, many of the Contractors found they had miscalculated, (that is to say, never did calculate the cost of the work, if they could), some absconded, others I had great difficulty with to get them on with their work, and some I had to finish by days' labour and charge the amount upon the respective Contracts.

The system is advantageous in some respects, as the competition is so great that prices are lowered; most of the men, however, do not know the amount of their tender, the results therefore is quite a chance; if they fail, they generally abscond leaving the labourers unpaid, and it has frequently happened that I could not induce other men to go upon the work until all payments due upon it had been made; with Masons this is particularly the case in consequence of the Trade Union, which delayed the completion of 3 contracts for Bridges, the fault no doubt, originated with the Contractors who could not pay the men.

The sureties in these cases, when applied to, were compelled to complete the work and pay the balance due, and leave me to finish the work and pay the remaining, if there should happen to be any. The completion of the Aberdeen Road was the only new work out of the Station which required our attention during

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the detailed estimate, were transmitted to England in Report and estimate for 1848. The Contracts and working drawings for the Aberdeen Road were all completed early in this year. I subdivided the work into 17 Contracts, (to suit the convenience of the generality of contractors who tender for such works at a distance from Victoria), and thus the whole work progressed very actively and I hoped to see at least all the earth-work quite finished before the hot weather, but as it proceeded, many of the Contractors found they had miscalculated, (that is to say, never did calculate the cost of the work, if they could), some absconded, others I had great difficulty with to get them on with their work, and some I had to finish by days' labour and charge the amount upon the respective Contracts. The system is advantageous in some respects, as the competition is so great that prices are lowered; most of the men, however, do not know the amount of their tender, the results therefore is quite a chance; if they fail, they generally abscond leaving the labourers unpaid, and it has frequently happened that I could not induce other men to go upon the work until all payments due upon it had been made; with Masons this is particularly the case in consequence of the Trade Union, which delayed the completion of 3 contracts for Bridges, the fault no doubt, originated with the Contractors who could not pay the men. The sureties in these cases, when applied to, were compelled to complete the work and pay the balance due, and leave me to finish the work and pay the remaining, if there should happen to be any. The completion of the Aberdeen Road was the only new work out of the Station which required our attention during
Baseline (Original)
the detailed retinate, were transmitted to England in Report and retimate f / 1848.- 'f The Contracts and working drawings for the Aberdeen Road were all completed early in this Rond I subdivided the wnt the Mecer; expon into 17 Contracts, (to suit the Alcaus of the generality of contractors who tender for 1170 such zuch. i works at a distance from Victoria), and thus the whole work progressed very actively and I hopes of seeing at least all the earth- conk quite finished before the hot weather but as it proceeded, many of the Contractors found they had miscalculated, (that is to ever did calculate the cat of the Lay, if they sont), sous absconded, others I had great difficulty with to free them on with their won't, and some. I had to finish by days' labour and charge the amount upon the respective Contracts. system is advantageous in soue respects, as the competition is so great that prices днем are lowered; most of the the amount men 4022 however of their tender, the results "therefore is quite a chance; if they fail, they generally abseond leaving the labourers unpaid, and it has prequently happened that Iemlid not induce other men to the work go upon until all payments due upon it had been made; with Masons this is particularly the case in consequence of the Trade Union, which delayed the completion of I contracts for Bridges, the fault no doubt, originated with the Contractors who could not pay the men. The sureties in these to, whe applied to, the services or pay are the CALCI compelled to complete money due and leave pay the balance me to finish the work and remaining if there should happen to be any Station The completion of the Aberdeen. Police new work out of the loas the mily Town which required our attention during
2026-05-17 10:27:39 · Baseline
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the detailed retinate, were transmitted to England

in Report and retimate f

/ 1848.-

'f

The Contracts and working drawings for the Aberdeen Road were all completed early in

this Rond I subdivided the wnt

the Mecer; expon into 17 Contracts, (to suit the

Alcaus

of the

generality of contractors who tender for

1170

such

zuch.

i

works at a distance from Victoria), and thus the whole work progressed very actively and I

hopes of seeing at least all the earth- conk quite finished before the hot weather but as it proceeded, many of the Contractors found they had miscalculated, (that is to ever did calculate the cat of the Lay, if they sont), sous absconded, others I had great difficulty with to free them on with their won't, and some. I had to finish by days' labour and charge the amount upon the respective Contracts.

system is advantageous in soue respects, as the competition is so

great that

prices

днем

are

lowered; most of the

the amount

men

4022

however

of their tender, the results

"therefore is quite a chance; if they fail, they generally abseond leaving the labourers unpaid, and it has prequently happened that Iemlid not induce other men to

the work go upon

until all payments due upon it had been made; with Masons this

is particularly

the

case in consequence of the Trade Union, which delayed the completion of I contracts for Bridges, the fault

no doubt, originated

with the Contractors who could not pay the

men.

The sureties in these

to, whe

applied to,

the services or

pay

are

the

CALCI

compelled to complete

money

due and leave

pay

the balance

me to finish the work and remaining if there should happen to be

any

Station

The completion of the Aberdeen. Police new work out of the

loas

the mily

Town which required our attention during

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