STATE BUSH CLOSED

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 83, 9 April 1928, Page 11

STATE BUSH CLOSED

CONCERN IN KING COUNTRY Work of the Government bush, about two miles.from Erua railway statiq'n, ceased at the end.of last month, and a few mou are now engaged dismantling camp huts and cookhouse, states tlio Taumarunui covrespoudont of the "Now Zealand Herald.". Bctweon 20 and 30 mon wero engaged at this bush, and logs wero brought to the camp mill and cut up preparatory to tho timber being forwarded to tho Government mill at Frankton Junction. . For somo timo local bodies in tho southern part of tho King Country have used their best endeavours to bring pressure to boar upon tlio Government to reopen Pokaka Bush whon the timo came for closing Erua bush. At tho last meeting of tlio Ohakuno 'Chamber of Commerce, M/ J. J. Troloar said that in March of lust year soveral men wero put off and others transferred from Pokaka bush, which was closed. A deputation waited upon the Prime 'Minister, and at an interview ho said there was no intention of closing tho bush. He found employmont for tho men who had been put off. However, men working in tho Government bush »t l!r«a roccntly roceived notice that thoir services would not be roquirod after tho end of March. A meeting was held at Pokaka, whero it was stated that at i'okaka bush Micro was from 10 to 12 years' cutting. Haulers could bo roplacod in a i'ow days, aud thoro was enough tram line laid for work for fully a year. Tho matter was represented to tlio Primo Minister through Mr. E. \V. Smith, M.P. Mr. Coatcs replied: "Tho inattor has had very full consideration, but I rogrot thVt owing to tho tonnination of railway logging activities thoro is no possibility of tho Railway Department absorbing tho staff to bo dispensed with. Tho present position with rogard to timber supplies precludes tho commencement of operations on Pokaka bush. In order to relieve tho position as much as possibft, particularly for married men, the Government at present is making inquiries in ordpr to place as ■many as possiblo on reliof works in that locality."