NATIONAL WORKS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 260, 2 November 1935, Page 15

NATIONAL WORKS.

TO COST £3,500,000. EMPLOYMENT FOR 9500. IMMEDIATE EXECUTION. Cabinet has approved for immediate execution a programme of national works providing employment for approximately 0500 men at a total cost of £:;,500,000. These works hav* been selected by an inter-departmental committee recently appointed to investigate all possible avenues of national reemployment.

All works will be at standard rates of pay, for periods varying from a few months to two or -three years. The cost includes materials and other items in addition to wages.

'•"The works are additional to those already provided on the Estimates," said Mr. Coates in announcing the programme. "They form part of the shortrange programme, and in arranging the works special attention lias been given to tho problem of easing unemployment. Uuemployment Fund. "Contributions of varying amounts have been made from the unemployment fund, but in every case the loan expenditure involved is amply justified by the prospective return. By this means the unemployed will be placed on works of national importance in such a manner that tho returns will amply cover loan charges. Where loan expenditure is required this has been made possible by a rearrangement of public works votes. Tho net result is a considerable addition to the employment provided by a given amount of loaii money.

"Arrangements for certain other ■works require to l>e completed before being placed on the schedule. The committee is working steadily on a longrange programme covering the Tiext five years. The works included in this programme will he justified by the direct financial return or direct and indirect social benefit." Details of Works. The incomplete list of works, together ■with estimates of scope for.employment, possib'io duration and total cost is as follows: — Irrigation Schemes. — Ashburton (25,000 acres), work for 200 men for two years; total cost, £130,000. Maniototo,*Otago (40.000 acres), 500 men for four years, £750,000. River Works and Reclamation. — Destruction and removal of willows on lloteo River and three tributaries, North Auckland, 75 men for two years, £21,000. The work is being undertaken to reduce flood risks. Waihou and Ohinemuri Rivers, Hauraki Plains, raising of stopbanks and earthworks, 50 men for one year, £8000. Karaniea flood protection, 120 men for three years, £50,000. Kaipara mud flats reclamation, Kukutango area, 070 acres, 40 men for five years, £31,000; Gardner's area, 360 acres, 40 men for five years; Parakai area, 450 acres, 40 men for five years. Reclamation of 92 acres of tidal flat at mouth of Hutt River, Wellington, 350 men for two years, £173,000. I On the Roads. Road Works. —Formation and metalling of settlement roads autrorised in the Estimates for immediate commencement; ■ 1200 men for ! eight months (average), £105.600. RotoruaiWaikare-. moana Road, widening and metalling, 2000 men for two or three years, £109,000. Camps aro being erected for this work and some men will-be placed almost immediately. Great South Road, Westland, Weheka to Bruce Bay, 33 miles, with bridges, formation and metalling, 100 men for three years, £74,000.

Main Highways Board Supplementary Programme. —Widening, deviations, sealing on 26 works throughout New Zealand, 895 men for eight months (average), £180,665. Arrangements have been made to place 565 men on co-operative contract as soon as possible and to invito tenders for the works on which the remaining 330 men will be placed. The Chateau. Other Activities. — Mental hospital buildings, various localities, 125 men for one year, £83,000. Queen Mary Hospital, Hanmer, water supply and improvement, .20 men for four months, £2600. New explosives magazines, Greymouth, five men for three months, £740; Wingatui, 10 men for three months, £1400. Taupo Wharf, 10 men for three months, £1600. Tenders "will be invited for this work almost immediately. The Chateau Tongariro, National Park.—Staff quarters, 15 men for eight months, £6000; road to Scoria Flat, 30 men for six months, £3500; heating services "and alterations, five men for five months, £1700. Morcre Springs, new outdoor bath, 12 men for three months, £1200. Forestry Works.—Various localities, 500 men for five months, £47,000. Vacancies are to be filled owing to the recent departure of a large number of men for seasonal occupations. Defence Works. —Various localities, 93 men, for varying periods, £30,100. Aerodromes and Landing Grounds throughout Dominion. —1100 men for two years, £148,000. Elimination of Various Railway Level Crossings. —Maximum of 480, men for three years, £360,000. Railway works, including grade easements recently announced,. and Turakina-Fordcll-Okoia deviation, 1084 men, for two years, £572,147. Extension of Small Farms Scheme in Jving Country by Salvaging Crown Securities. —Employment for from 500 to 1500 men for several years, cost not available. ,■