, 1884-09-17

DEODcE apparatus WuOIclu dIG1C1CS may O0
disinfected. Such apparatus, which is re-
quisite in every hospital, is not to be
found here at all, and now when a Quaran-
tine Station perhaps may be required for
use with short notice, it was absolutely
necessary to provide such IN apparatus
it would be a very serious want, if under an
occurring emergency it did not exist; and
he had therefore not hesitated to propose
an amendment for 934O for erecting an
oven for disinfecting purposes on the
Protestant Quay, the only place where a
suitable Quarantine establishment could
be arranged.
The Speaker recommended the amend
ments. AS regards the sub-amendment
for $40, he thought that all would readily
agree to the proposal, the measure being
one of necessity, and as the estimates for
the work appear to be cheap.
2nd Member for Frederiksted's Country
District (He1ittl would, in connection with
the amount proposed for the erection of q
Building at Kingshill for Policemen, beg to
say, that he thought it would be a saving
to the country if in future, when building
operations entailing such heavy expenses
are to be done, the work were advertised
or put up for public competition. There
would always be some competent persons
to come forward and compete for the work,
and the party offering proper security
should get the work. This would be d
better system than that now followed and
it would no doubt lead to our getting tho
work cheaper. 1t seems not quite fair
that the benefits of doing all the public
work shall be accorded to a few artisans,
instead of being thrown open to public com
petition.
The Governor said, as far as he knew,
the Building-Inspector had called in dit.
ferent, at least 2, tenders for the work in
question at Kingshill. 1t is clear that i'll
such a small island the numberisver limit
ed ofmen who are able to undertake a build
ing work of the kind, or who cal inspire
sufficient confidence to allow of such a
work being entrusted to him. 1t is also
certain that the Building Inspector, who
has the responsibility for the work, and
who is the person having the best OppOr-
tunity of Judging of the efficiency of arti-
sans, must direct the attention of the Adj
miniStratiOm in respect to the aCceptance
of tenders for work and if he recommend
a particular person, the Administrator as
a rule will accept HIM. OF the two offers
which the Inspector had called in, the
cheapest one was accepted. He could
agree as to the correctness of the princi-
pie of public licitation when public works
are to be done, and in regard, for instance,
to the new CustomhOuso in Frederiksted,
that system was followed, as far as he re-
membered, and the same person whose
tender was then accepted, had also made
an offer for Kingshill, but it was higher
than the other. He would %endeavOur to
make use of public licitation in instances
of this kind, where it can be used but III
a small island the number to compete is,
and must be, limited.
End Member for Frederiksted's Country
District (IIewitt) observed that he had.
seen no advertisement of a public licita-
ton for the work at Kingshill. He thought
that any trahesman coming forward with,
the necessary guarantee should be accept
ed, provided Of course he be competent.
The Governor pointed out that he had
not said public licitation had been tried
now, but merely that the Building lnspec-
for had taken estimates for the work at
Kineshill from two parties, of whom One
was the same party who had built the
Customhouse in Frederiksted.
The amendments were all tacitly adopt.
ed and the Money Bill SO amended, for.
1897. 40 was also facility adopted.
MONEY BILL.
For defraying expenses ander the Budget
for the Municipality Of st. CrOiG for tho
Financial Year from 1st April 1884 to 31st
March 1885 the folIOWing amounts are hereby
granted:
sub Item G.
For hire of a sailing Schooner as Mail