THE UNEMPLOYED.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 139, 14 June 1926, Page 9

THE UNEMPLOYED.

THE OFFICIAL FIGURES. NEARING THE THOUSAND MARK. MEETING OF RELIEF COMMITTEE. It was stated at a meeting of the Auckland Unemployed Relief Committee this morning that the official list of unemployed in the city had reached 815, inclusive of 627 in the A class, and 188 in the B class, and that on Saturday employment had been found for 19. A letter was received from the Auckland Harbour Board stating that it had been decided to proceed with the embankments of the western reclamation, and this, with the opening up of the quarries at Rangitoto, would provide considerable employment. The Auckland Education Board wrote stating that the engineers had been instructed to call for tenders in connection with work at the Newmarket school immediately, and that it had been decided to ask the Education Department to authorise a grant for considerable ground improvements for a new school site at Parnell. The board further stated that any work authorised would be undertaken as early as possible. Big Works Jending. A letter was received from the Prime Minister stating that Cabinet had approved of a grant of £117,000, and that validating legislation would be introduced in connection with the Auckland City Council's loan of £100,000 for tram tracks, the expenditure to be subject to section 6 of the Local Bodies Loans Act, 1902. The Mayor (Mr. Geo. Baildon) stated that he had visited Wellington, and the position in regard to the Waterfront Road was very satisfactory. The total expenditure would be £317,000, and it was intended to put the work in hand as soon as possible. It was also intended to Btart the tramways work as soon as they could, and it would Le done in different stages. Local bodies now had the power to raise money to cope with unemployment. Mr. T. Lamont said that he understood that it would have to be urgent work, and approved by the Minister. In reply to a question, Mr. Baildon said that there was a certain amount of preparation in connection with work on a large scale, but everything possible would be done to facilitate it. Mr. S. Donaldson said that he hoped that they could expedite the drainage of storm water at Newmarket, which was a £12,000 to £15,000 job. The worJt was to be carried out in conjunction with the city and Mount Eden. The Mayor promised to go into the matter at once. A Fine Effort. A report was received from Mr. M. J. Coyle that in conjunction with a committee of ladies in the Point Chevalier district, he had collected a considerable amount of clothing and £31 in cash, the latter being spontaneously given by people who did not have clothing to give. It was decided to thank Mr. Coyle. and the ladies for their work. . The committee also expressed-apprecia-tion of an anonymous donation of £1 from -a lady who signed herself " The Mother of a Soldier Killed at the War," and it was decided to comply with her expressed request that it should be .utilised .to- assist an unemployed returned soldier. The committee decided to allbJ__te___3-between the Rev ; Jasper Caldetvaud. Staff-Captain Davis, of the Salvation Army to assist urgent deserving cases* RELIEF OF THE POSITION. APPEAL BY THE MAYOR. A further appeal has been made by the Mayor (Mr. Geo. Baildon) to business interests to cany on all possible works in order to relieve the present position in regard to unemployment. It is pointed out that there are many men who are able only to undertake work of a light nature, and it is thought possible that some firms may be able to offer them employment. In addition to the ordinary road gangs, the Mount Eden Borough have a drainage contract which employs 120 men. They have also in view the letting of a contract for the drainage of the 'Southern zone. "This work is in conjunction with work.' in Mt. Albert. The plans prepared by the engineer of each local' body have been approved by the Drainage Board Engineer, and as soon as the proposed loan for Mount AJbert is carried the work can be put in- hand, which will do much to relieve the situation. ; The owners of the Sunglen estate, near Dominion Road tram terminus, have decided to proceed with further road work, and have let a contract to Messrs. Bray and Company, to connect Perry Road, Mount Eden, with Sunglen Avenue and Dominion Road. The road is to cost £2000, and the bulk of the expenditure Will be in wages. FEW AT NEW PLYMOUTH. , (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) NEW PLYMOUTH; this day. A meeting of citizens last week decided to open a bureau at the Mayor's office for the purpose of finding work for the unemployed. The bureau was opened this morning, but only eight applications were received, five of them from married men, two from single men, and one from a woman.