PUBLIC WORKS

Evening Star, Issue 24278, 20 August 1942, Page 4

PUBLIC WORKS

A BIG CURTAILMENT

£4,802,200 FROM ALL ACCOUNTS (Special.) WELLINGTON, August 20. A farther curtailment in normal Public Works operations last year was indicated in the • Public Works Statement presented to the House of Representatives to-day by the Minister of Public Works. Works of unprecedented magnitude, however, have been carried out in record time by the organisation, which is the principal construction department for the Defence Construction Council. < There was a gross expenditure of £18,236,324, a Targe proportion of which was recovered from other departments. The estimate for the net expenditure for the Public Works Department this year i's £1,110,000, but the estimates "also show that it is intended to expend £2,000,000 from the Electric Supply Account and £1,692,200 from the Main Highways Account, making a total for all accounts of* £4,802,200. It is intended this year to provide £500,000 from the Consolidated Fund for maintenance of public works and services, while the expenditure on the main highways is expected to reach £2,000,000. Outside of urgent and essential bridge renewals and improvement of sections of highways to meet Array requirements (states the Minister), no new highway works have been started, and the principal activities have been devoted to adequate maintenance. Although the volume of car traffic has decreased considerably, traffic by a heavier type of vehicle has shown a marked increase in certain localities, which has_ necessitated a greater expenditure in those areas. Railway construction is at a standstill, and only £147,641 was spent on improvements to open lines, compared with over £1,000,000. in the previous year. In view of the present condition of emergency (continues the statement), these and other "works have been suspended with a view to releasing workers for essential industries. With the exception of hospital buildings. the erection of new departmental buildings of a civil nature has practically ceased. The Minister mentions the appointment of a council which will administer the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Act, stating that a considerable amount of investigatory work will be involved before the council will be able to set up catchment control boards for any particular catchment areas. As soon as a staff is available it is the intention to undertake surveys in connection with rehabilitation proposals.