PUBLIC WORKS.

Auckland Star, Issue 17, 21 January 1932, Page 3

PUBLIC WORKS.

EXCESSIVE COSTS ALLEGED. BUSINESS MEN'S CRITICISM. OVER-STOCKING OF STORES. Much waste has occurred through faulty estimates of the cost of Government undertakings, states the Auckland Chamber of Commerce in drawing the attention of the Associated Chambers of Commerce to instances of alleged extravagances by the Public Works Department. Whether there had been incompetence on the part of the engineers or whether there was political interference was a question on which, the chamber considered, further light should be thrown. Instances where (lie final cost of works had exceeded the estimates were stated to bo the rule, and there were many instances where the difference had been sufficient to constitute "a public scandal." Instances given included the Waio-tira-Kirikopuni line, estimated to cost. £•'587,822, which finally cost £1,004,351. Among the other instances in which the estimates were greatly exceeded were the Opunake branch railway, an excess of £50,000, and Waikokopu railway, an excess of £251,000. Changes of Government policy had also accounted for great economic waste, it was stated. On various abandoned projects much valuable plant was rotting or rusting away, notably near Mount Maunganui, Tauranga. The chamber also referred to overstocking in the stores department of the Public Works, which was described as "exceptionally bad business" when prices were falling.