AUPUTA ROAD.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 15, 15 December 1932, Page 4

AUPUTA ROAD.

AA'TDENTNG PROPOSAL. REQUEST FOR RELIEF CAAIP. A proposal to widen and metal about four and a half miles of the Auputa Road to provide a shorter route from Rangiwahia to the Upper Kawhatau Valiev and Utiqu was placed before a special meeting of members of tlie Kiwitea County Council* early this month, and as the outcome of the meeting it was decided to approach the Unemployment Board for assistance. The following letter was forwarded to the hoard in regard to the matter: “It has been suggested that the Kiwitea County Council should consider the question of the establishment of a camp for single men at Ivarewarewa for the purpose of opening up the Auputa Road. The proposal is to widen and metal the road for about 4J miles, thus providing a shorter route from Rangiwahia to the Upper Kawhatau and Utiku; the catnp to consist of from 15 to 20 men for a period of about four or five months. ’ The letter went on to ask whether the board would he prepared to establish and maintain such a camp and also what contribution the council would be called on to make in connection with the camp. The reply from the Unemployment Commission pointed out that the metalling of this road had already been investigated by the Public AA’orks Department. Tlie funds available to the department under the Public AA’orks vote, the letter went on. were particularly limited, and there was little prospect of anv assistance being forthcoming from this source for the metalling of tlie road. Further, the letter stated that under the Unemployment Board’s single men’s camp scheme, the proposed work was estimated to cost ci3]B. and provided the hoard was prepared to contribute towards the establishment of a single men’s relief camp, on the usual basis, there would remain approximately £6BO to be provided from other sources. The board itself, the letter proceeded, was not prepared to undertake the establishIment of any relief camp, the actual establishment of camps usually being undertaken by the Public AA’orks Denartment or local body, as the case may he, hut if the council was prepared to do so, and provide food, materials, transport, supervision and all costs in connection therewith, the hoard would then give further consideration to contributing toward the cost of tlie camp. The chairman, Cr L. T. McLean, said it was obvious tlie council could not afford to spend £6BO on the road. No further comment was offered.