DRAINAGE WORKS

Evening Star, Issue 19892, 14 June 1928, Page 11

DRAINAGE WORKS

RELIEF OF UNEMPLOYMENT • Last night's 'Keeling of the Dunedin Drainage Board, which was presided over by the mayor (Mr W, ,B. Taverner) resolved to apply to the Local Government Loans Board for sanction to tlio raising of a loan of £90,000, being the balance of a loan of £250,000 for drainage and sewerage works authorised to bo raised according to the pro* visions of the Dunedin District Drain* ;i"o and Sewerage Amendment Act. 1026. • , Mr J. Wilson, in moving the Works Committee’s report, explained that £45,000 would be provided for work to be put in hand this year. The principal work was the prosecution of the Taiuui low levels, of which £IB,OOO was allotted for this year’s work, which would pretty nearly finish the Tainui work. There was still an amount of £5,500 to bo allotted for the St. Andrew’s street completion. Regarding sewerage facilities for properties in Uavenswood road and Earl’s road, he said that there was quite a demand for sections for buildings in this locality, and he thought it wise that the work should bo put in hand. The report was adopted. Dealing with the question of unemployment relief, a supplementary report of the Finance Committee stated: “ Your committo bogs to report having considered the question of assisting in the effort to provide some relief for unemployment during the present winter season. Tho board is not able, without seriously disturbing its finances, to spend any largo sum beyond the year’s allocations, but your committee thinks that under the special circumstances authority might be given for undertaking tho following works purely as relief measures and subject to approval of same by the Public Works Department:—(a) Construction of foul sewers in Ravenswood road and Earl’s road at an estimated cost of £1,235. (b) Construction of storm water sewers in Bay View road, Surrey street, and Maoandrew road at an estimated cost of £6,500. With respect to (a), this work would bo a charge against tho item for contingencies in the £45,000 works allocation. The item (b), £6,500, has not, however, been provided for, and would therefore represent additional loan expenditure for the year beyond the total of £45,000 stipulated by tho board.” Mr J. J. ‘•Clark moved the adoption of the report, stating that ho was quito sure tho urgency of the work would bo realised. It would provide work for twentv-fivo men for sixteen to twenty weeks. It was hoped to get the voik approved of ns unemployment relief work, which would carry a Government subsidy of 6s a day per man in the caso of married men. As far as ho could see at the present time it should bo possible at the end of the year to finance the works without hampering the ordinary work of tho board.

Mr R. W. Hall, seconding the motion, said that at tho present time it was well that work could be found that would absorb a certain amount of unemployment. Mr W, A, Scott; And a lot of money.

Mr Hall said that as regards Day View road, the storm water carrier was near tho residential area. There existed at the present time an open ditch which was nob conducive to the best conditions, and was a social danger. The report was adopted.

It was decided to increase the personnel of the Sinking Fund Commission by the appointment of the chairman of tile Finance Committee (Mr J. J. Clark) and the secretary of tho board (Mr G. A. Lowin).