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5. The amount of building and engineering work now being done in the Colony is very large and will shortly be materially increased, the grave evils arising from restricted supply will consequently be much accentuated. The cost of granite, has under these conditions, risen to an unduly high level. This is inevitable as the system is in effect a monopoly granted to an individual.
6.
7. As an indication of the working results of the system the price of granite has increased within the past twelve months by at least 50 per cent. Some part of this doubtless is due to rise in the cost of labour, but the greater part is due to the largely increased demand on the one hand and the restricted supply available under present conditions on the other.
8. The existing system induces speculation. The largely increased price bid for the quarry farm last year was evidently the result of the various contracts proceeding or pending in which it was known that large quantities of granite were required. Bidders evidently expected to be able to command their own prices and very large rates have been asked.
9. The present quarries are not efficiently worked, the good patches of stone whenever they happen to crop out are unduly "robbed". There is no proper development work done, and no plant is employed. Under a twelve months tenancy this is what may be expected. One result is that the cost of procuring the stone is unduly increased, another that the quarries are never in good working order.
10. The result to the Government is a restricted revenue compared to what might be obtained compatibly with meeting the general interests involved.
11. ents
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t
62
5.
The amount of building and engineering work now
being done in the Colony is very large and will shortly
be materially increased, the grave evils arising from
restricted supply will consequently be much accentuated.
The cost of granite, has under these conditions,
risen to an unduly high level. This is inevitable as the
system is in effect a monopoly granted to an individual.'
6.
7.
As an indication of the working results of the
system the price of granite has increased within the past
twelve months by at least 50 per cent. Some part of this
doubtless is due to rise in the cost of labour, but the
greater part is due to the largely increased demand on the
one hand and the restricted supply available under present
conditions on the other.
8.
The
The existing system induces speculation.
largely increased price bid for the quarry farm last year
was evidently the result of the various contracts
proceeding or pending in which it was known that large
quantities of granite were required. Bidders evidently
expected to be able to command their own prices and very
large rates have been asked.
9.
The present quarries are not efficiently worked,‚à
the good patches of stone whenever they happen to crop out
are unduly "robbed". There is no proper development work
done,
and no plant is employed. Under a twelve months
tenancy this is what may be expected. One result is
that the cost of procuring the stone is unduly increased,
another that the quarries are never in good working order.
10.
The result to the Government is a restricted
revenue compared to what might be obtained compatibly
with meeting the general interests involved.
11.
ents
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