Mop-up lands jobs for 15

Press, 10 January 1986, Page 5

Mop-up lands jobs for 15

PA Whangarei The floods which devast-, ated large areas of the far north last week-end have resulted in jobs for 15 unemployed in tiny Pawarenga.

The co-ordinator of the Pawarenga Community Trust, Mrs Gloria Herbert, paused during clean-up work yesterday to praise local people, both voluntary and paid, who pitched in to help.

She said the 15 unemployed were now working under the Government scheme to help clean up the mess.

“They would have done the work voluntarily, but

it’s been a tremendous boost to their morale to know that at last they are going to be paid for doing something,” she said.

“They are working incredibly long hours, and have responded well. They have had a lot of knockbacks in the past.”

Mrs Herbert said heavy overnight rain was hampering work, but the tired workers were still smiling and getting on with restoring order.

Food and clothing have arrived in the district, with the first relief arriving from the Kaitaia branch of the Social Welfare Department on Sunday.