EAST COAST RAILWAY.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 6967, 25 January 1918, Page 3

EAST COAST RAILWAY.

Athenree-Katikati Section.

Weibi.Jan 22

The Public Workß engineer, Mr J. Hannab, wfco is io charge of the section of the East Coast Railway extending from Opotiki to Waihi, attended at tho Boroagh Council Cnamter to-day to enrol men wbo are pre pared to commeuco work on the Waihi-Katikati portion of the Hue, which Ifce Minister for Public Works consented to resume subject to not les« than 50 men being available, Nearly 30 men presented themselves, and as it seems probcble that others who had previously handed in their names were under the ininre?sicn that personal attendance was rot neccs sary, the engineer will remain in Wsihi until to-morrow, in the hope that the full fcjmpleaent of workers required will bs enrolled. Should they s tiot be avajla'jle, it is uuderstood that hhe work will not be proceeded with,

S Addressing the men who watted, Mr [Ilastnai stated that construction -sork fto be put ia hand at this end, provided frnen could be found, would be between |Athenree, some nine miles ffom IWflihi, and Katikati, us toe preliminary work from Waihi to Atiieuree bad been practically completed, and would not be resumed uatil the necessaty steel for bridge work, etc., could be obtained. Preparations had been made for the housing of woikers, far whom tents had been provided in close proximity to their work. Wotk would he proceeded with under toe co-nperative system, an J would he so arranged ai (o ensure at least B ix months' employment to gangs of sverage size. Com petent men would tie. able to earn at least He per day, to which would be added a war botuis of Is per day, and no restrictions wauld be placed on the men's earnings. Where ttiey were able to earn more than the amount mentioned they could dv so without fear • ing any cut in price.

The Waihi Telegraph of Tuesday last says: "The spplications made yesterday for work on the WaihiKatikati section of the East Coast railway have bee>j supplemented, bringing the number "up to forty. Mr Hannah, Railway Engineer, iliis mum ing gave notice to the effect that work wculd be resumed forthwith. Three gangs, of flix men eacb, have been formed, and,it is expected that during the day the number will be increased, and that the men will go into camp to-morrow. We understand that the reeson for starting cperntions beyond Athenrea is that most of the preliminary work between Waihi and Athenree has been completed, ar.d that the men can be more profitably employed on preliminary work such as cuttings, on the other sido of Athenree."