PUBLIC WORKS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22256, 2 November 1935, Page 12

PUBLIC WORKS

IMMEDIATE START

TOTAL COST £3,500,001)

EMPLOYMENT FOR 9500 MEN

DETAILS OF PROGRAMME [ilY TKI.ECRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] HELENSVILLE, Friday Details of a programme of national works providing employment for about, 9500 men at a total cost of approximately £3,500,000 "'ore announced today by the Minister of Finance, Mr. Coates. The works have been selected by the inter-departmental committee recently appointed to explore avenues of national re-employment, and have now been approved by the Cabinet for immodiate prosec 11 tion.

All jvorks will bo at standard rates of pay, for periods varying from a few months to two or three years. Tho total cost already mentioned includes materials and other items in addition to wages. "The works aro additional to those already provided on tho Estimates," said Mr. Coates. "They form part of tho short-range programme, and in arranging tho works special attention has been given to the problem of easing unemplctymont. Loan Expenditure Justified

"Contributions of varying amounts have been made from the unemployment fund, but in every case tho loan expenditure involved is amply justified by tho prospective return. By this means tho unemployed will bo placed 011 works of national importance in such a manner that the returns will amply cover loan charges. Where loan expenditure is required this has been mado possible by a rearrangement of public works votes. Tho net result is a considerable addition to tho employment provided by a given amount of loan money. "Arrangements for certain other works require to be completed before being placed on the schedule. The committee is working steadily on a longrange programme covering the next five years. Tho works included in this programme will bo justified by tho direct financial return or direct and indirect, social benefit."' A List of Schemes Tho incomplete list of works, together with estimates of scope for employment, possible duration and total cost is as'follows:— Irrigation Schemes. Ashburton (25,000 acres), work for 200 men for two years; total cost, £130,000. Maniototo, Otago (40,000 acres), 500 men for j four years, £750,000. River Works and Reclamation.—Destruction and removal of willows on Hoteo River and three tributaries, North Auckland, 75 men for two years, £21,000. The work is being undertaken to reduce flood risks. Waihou and Ohinemuri Rivers, Hauraki Plains, raising of stopbanks and earthworks, GO men for one year, £BOOO. Karamea flood protection, 120 men for three years, £50,000. Kaipara mud flats reclamation, Kukutango area, 670 acres, 40 men for five years, £31,000; Gardner's area, 360 acres, 40 men for five years; Parakai area, 450 acres, 40 men for five years. Reclamation of 92 acres of tidal- flat at mouth of Hutt River, Wellington, 350 men for two years, £173,000. • Important Road Works Road Works.—Formation and metalling .of settlement roads authorised in the Estimates for immediate commencement, 1290 men for eight months (average), £165,690. Rotorua-Waikaremoana Road, widening and metalling 2000 men for two or three years, £109,000. Camps aro being erected for this work and some men will be placed almost immediately. Great South Road, Westland, Weheka to Bruce Bay, 33 miles, with bridges, formation and metalling, 100 men for three years, £74,000. Main Highways Board Supplementary Programme. Widening, deviations, sealing, on 26 works throughout New Zealand, 895 men for eight months (average), £180,665. Arrangements have been made to place 565 men on co-operative contract as soon as possible and to inyite tenders for the works on which the remaining 330 men will be placed. Improvements at Chateau * Other Activities. hospital buildings,- various localities, 125 men for ono year, £83,000. Queen Mary Hospital, Hanmer, wnter supply and improvement, 20 men for four months, £2600. New explosives magazines, Groyniouth, five men for three months, £740; Wingatui, 10 men for threo months, £I4OO. Taupo Wharf, 10 men for three' months, £I6OO. Tenders will bo invited for this work almost immediately. Tho Chateau Tongarird, National Park.—Staff quarters. 15 men for eight months, £6000; road to Scoria Flat, 30 men for six, months, £3500; heating services and alterations, fivo men for five months, £I7OO. Morcro Springs, new outdoor bath, 12 men for three months, £I2OO.

Forestry Works. —Various localities, 500 men for five months, £47,000. Vacancies are to bo filled owing; to the recent departure of a largo number of men for seasonal occupations. Defence Works. —Various localities, 93 men, for varying periods, £30,100. Aerodromes and Landing Grounds Throughout Dominion.—lloo men for two years, £148,000. Elimination of Various Railway Level Crossings.—Maximum of 480 men for three years, £360,000. Railway works, including grado casements recently announced, and Turakina-FordelT-Okoia deviation, 1081 men, fyr two years, £572,147. Extension of Small Farms Scheme in King Country by Salvaging Crown Securities. —Employment, for from 600 to 1500 men for several years, cost not available.