NEW PUBLIC WORKS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22247, 23 October 1935, Page 12

NEW PUBLIC WORKS

AUCKLAND SCHEMES ABOUT 1400 MEN OFFER About 1400 men, equal to one-fourth of those on the unemployment register in Auckland city and suburbs, have volunteered in recent ■weeks for engagement under the Government's extended scheme of public works in the district administered direct from the Auckland office of the Public Works Department. Since October 1 a total of 212 men have been placed, the principal works being the following:—Kauri Point naval base extension, 43; Motutapu Island defence works, 46; Hobsonville air base, 62; Mahingarahu-Puanoano road, 25; Kennedy's Bay, 23. Further men will be given work on these and other projects as soon as arrangements are made to receive them.

The Public Works Department expects to begin operations shortly upon the improvement of the Mangere aerodrome, which is to be used as a provisional commercial and general airport for Auckland. This scheme, when in full swing, will probably require 150 to 200 men, who are to be drawn as far as possible from Onehunga, Mangere, Otahuhu and Papatoetoe.

With a few exceptions, the men on all the works are employed on cooperative contract at rates calculated to enable an average man to earn 12s a day. As most of them were formerly on sustenance, this is a considerable improvement on what they have lately received. The response is considered most satisfactory, and an indication that there is a real willingness on the part of unemployed in Auckland to take up work under the conditions offered.