SUSPENDED RAILWAYS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20767, 9 January 1931, Page 13

SUSPENDED RAILWAYS.

POSITION IN THE NORTH.

WORKMEN RECEIVE NOTICE. FOOD SUPPLY DIFFICULTIES. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WHANG A RET, Thursday Although only four miles remains to complete the railway line to the Rangiahua River, (he work has been definitely ceased on the Okaihau section. Returning yesterday after the holidays, 200 men were ordered to hand in their tools. Most of the single men, numbering 50. were paid off six weeks ago. The married men went to spend the Chrissnas holiday in ignorance that they would be unemployed after the New Year. The first intimation received that their positions were in jeopardy was when they read the recent statement made by the acting-Prime Minister, Hon. E. A. Ransom. Then, the opinion was general, both among the men and the business people of Okaihau, that the work would continue for at least four months, and, as a result, many of the holiday-makers exhausted the last of their funds. A small number of men has been retained cleaning up. It is understood that a limited number can be transferred to Arapuni, but it is doubtful whether there are sufficient quarters available for married men. The cookhouses at Okaihau are supplying the men with food until Saturday, after which the situation will be critical. The majority owe money for their December meals, and for private trading bills contracted in the township. CONCERN AT DARGAVILLE. PUBLIC MEETING CONVENED. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION-] DARGAVILLE, Thursday. The men engaged on railway construction work on the final section of the Tangowahine-Dargaville line, of which all but about one and a-half miles is nearly complete, were given a week's notice this morning. They resumed yesterday after the Christmas holiday, and, as far as can be ascertained, they have not been offered work elsewhere. The number of men affected is upwards of 160, most of whom are married.

A public meeting will be held on Monday to consider what action is to be taken in connection with the cessation of tho work. Much indignation is expressed in the district, as under a month's work would have given another five and a-half miles of completed railway, and brought the terminus within one and a-half miles of Dargaville. Hope is still expressed that, owing to the fact that tho work is near completion, it may be resumed aftei March 31.