Relief Road Work Proposal

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7031, 15 December 1932, Page 3

Relief Road Work Proposal

WIDENING AND METALLING ATJPUTA ROAD KIWITEA COUNTY HAS NO FUNDS Correspondence was before yesterday’s meeting of the Kiwi tea County Council in connection with a proposal put before a special meeting of the council, held earlier in the month, by Mr. E. M. Watson, S.M., to establish a single men's camp at Karewarcwa with the object of undertaking the metalling of about 41 miles of the Auputa road to shorten the route from Kangiwahia to Utiku. The Auputa road proceeds from Kangiwahia to the Upper Kawkatau Valley and the metalling of tho road would provide quicker communication with Utiku and Taihape. The proposal had been placed beforo the Unemployment Board and the council's letter with the board's reply w T as put before yesterday’s meeting of the council. The council’s letter to the board set out that the proposal was to widen and snetal approximately 44 miles of the Auputa road thus providing a shorter route from Kangiwahia to the Upper Kauwhatau Valley and Utiku. The idea was to provide a camp sufficient for from 15 to 20 men for a period of four to live months. To enable the council to consider the proposal the board ivas asked whether it would establish and maintain such a camp and what contribution towards the camp and the work the council would be expected to find. The Un. ••"iloymer.t Board replied that the metalling of the road had already been investigated by the Public Works Department and there was littlo prospect of any assistance being forthcoming from the funds available to the. Public Works Department. Under the ;1 Unemployment Board’s single men’s camp scheme the proposed work was estimated to cost £1312, and provided tho ’board was prepared to contribute towards the establishment of a single men’s relief camp, on the usual basis, there would Tcmain approximatelv £GBO to be provided from other sources. The board itself was not prepared to undertake the establishment of any relief camp, such a duty usually being undertaken by the Public Works Department or local body concerned, but if the council was prepared to do so and provide food, materials, transport, supervision, and all costs thereto, the board would then give further consideration to the matter of contributing toward the cost of the camp. The only comment forthcoming vas the remark of the chairman (Cr. L. T. McLean) who said that it. was obvious that, the council could not find £OOO for the proposed work.