PIO PIO WILLOWS CAMP

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXX, Issue 4870, 14 July 1936, Page 5

PIO PIO WILLOWS CAMP

FUTURE OF THE WORK. COST OF FINISHING PROGRAMME The future of the Pio Pio willow clearing work v/as discussed at the meeting of the Waitomo County Council on Friday, when a suggestion was received from the Public Works Department that the local body should contribute towards the completion of the work. The Labour Department could only now offer a subsidy on each man's wage of 30s weekly, and as the difference between this and the standard rates of pay would have to be met, it was suggested that the County or settlers should contribute. Crs. Neal and Crocombe contended that the Department should complete the work as they had undertaken at the beginning, though they realised that maintenance would be a local responsibility. The Council decided to reply on these lines. Mr. Lee referred to the sympathetic hearing the Minister of Labour (the Hon. H. T. Armstrong) had given a deputation on this matter since the latter's Department had written. The length of stream which had been cleared of willows on both sides extended from the 8-mile junction to 10 chains west of the Mapiu stream junction, stated the District Engineer in a schedule which was submitted. Five miles of clearing remained to be done, from the Mapiu stream to Wairere Falls. This work was essential for the success of the scheme, while to eliminate flooding at Mr. Cocking's farm on the Pio Pio-Tatu highway, a further 110 chains of river would have to be cleared. The estimated cost of the work at the outset had been £14,200. The expenditure to June, 1936, was £11,346 ; and the estimated cost of completing the work under standard wage.conditions v/as £3500. This included £SOO for the re-treatment of work already completed.