WORKS AT OHURA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21596, 14 September 1933, Page 6

WORKS AT OHURA

RELIEF OF UNEMPLOYMENT RIVER - IMPROVEMENT SCHEME ______ As a result of recent representations regarding the plight of a large number of men at Ohura, owing to the completion of work on the StratfordMain Trunk railway, it is understood, says' a, correspondent of the Taranaki News, that extensive public works are projected in the district that will give muoh-needed relief to the unemployed and-at the same time be of considerable benefit, to settlers. Mr.. Gr. Denison, chairman of the Ohura County Council, has received a letter from- the Minister of Public [Works, Hon. J. Bitchener, stating that the district engineer had been authorised to put in hand the clearing of willows on the upper portion of the Ohura River. Before the construction of a flood spillway fronting a portion of the Kopuha River was gone 04 with it seemed desirable to obtain •>the approval of the settlers in the immediate locality. The district engineer had accordingly been requested to arrange for a meeting with, say, Mr. Denison and the settlers, so that the various features in connection with this part of the work could be fully discussed. Mr. Denison stated that he had conferred with the engineer on the matter, and a meeting with the settlers had been arranged to *be held at Nihoniho. It is understood that whether the grant will\be made or not for the construction of a spillway in the river depends on whether the settlers are agreeable to waive the making of any claim in the event of. flood damage. It is also understood that in addition to" the river scheme road works of an extensive nature are projected for the near future and will be prosecuted as soon as the weather is suitable. One of . them is likely to be the metalling of the Waitaanga Road, giving access to Ohura from Tongaporutu, the estimated cost of this work being £6OOO. The original estimate for the river work Was £4OOO.