BASTION POINT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23617, 29 March 1940, Page 9

BASTION POINT

BURIAL PREPARATIONS RE-FORMING AN OLD ROAD CLEARING AROUND THE FORT The reconstruction of an old military road and the clearing of long Lira'--;, gorso and rubbish over a wide area are being carried out at Bastion Point in preparation for the funeral of Mr. Savage. About (30 Public Works Department employees, under Mr. I. \V. Con, assistant public work; engineer at Auckland, are engaged on the work, which will probably be completed this evening. Formerly giving access to Fort Bastion, the road, which has nor been used for many years, crosses the Orakoi golf course and is being reconstructed for about half a mile to a point where it joins a recently-formed street passing through the new portion of the Orakoi State settlement. This latter street runs into Kepa Itoad. Until the men started work at noon on Wednesday, rank grass waist-high covered the old military road and extended for about a chain on either side. This has now been cleared, turf covering the road has been removed, and a start has been made with laying a surface of scoria, of which between 300 and 'IOO yards will be required. Equipment in use includes three graders and two rollers. By the removal of a fence, the road has been brought to within a few yards of the back of the old fort. From here a path is being formed between high earth and concrete works, across the pit of the fort, and up to the entrance to a magazine vault, which will be Mr. Savage's final resting place. Almost ilie entire area of Bastion Point reserve, approximately six acres, is being cleared of long grass and rubbish to allow the anticipated crowds to gather more easily and conveniently. Tractor mowers and scythes are being used in this work, many lorries being engaged in carrying the material to various points on the uolf course, where it will later be burned.

WIIARF WORK CEASING NATIONAL DECISION MADE TO-MORROW' MORNING IDLE Advice \v;is received in Auckland yesterday that, by mutual arrangement between the national executive of the Waterside Workers' Federation and the Shipowners' Federation, no work will be done at any New Zealand port tomorrow morning, as a mark of respect to the late Prime Minister. Vessels urgently requiring despatch can resume. work at 1 p.m. to-morrow. It is expected, however, that few ships will be busy at Auckland to-mor-row afternoon. Difficulties in predicting weather for to-morrow afternoon when labour is engaged to-day and also in holding refrigerated produce on the wharves from to-night will probably result in a general holiday being observed. OTAHUHU WORKSHOPS JM PR ESS IVK CEREMONY Tribute to the affection and high esteem in which the late Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, was held by the employees of the Otahuhu railway workshops was manifested in an impressive ceremony held at the lunch interval yesterday. All the staff, numbering close on 1800, were present. The works manager, Mr. J. 13. Graham, presided and referred to the loss which the country had suffered in the passing of Mr. Savage. The workshops hand played the hymn. "Abide With Me" and the large gathering joined in singing the first verse. A two minutes' silence was observed and the following resolution was adopted:—"That this mass meeting of the whole of the staff of the Otahuhu railway workshops expresses its profound regret at the death of our beloved Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, and the irreparable loss the Government and the country has sustained in consequence. During the past few months, in spite of the severity of his illness, he still more greatly endeared himself to the whole of the people of the Dominion, and wc workers recognise that in his passing we have lost the most outstanding industrial personality and friend that has ever occupied a seat in the administration of political affairs of this country." WEST COAST REGRET MIXERS CONTINUE PRODUCTION [liv TKU-XHAI'H I'KKSS ASSOCIATION] OKIfYMOUTH, Thursday News of the death of Mr. Savage was received with profound regret in all parts of the West Coast, and arrangements are being made to hold memorial services in all centres on Sunday. Labour organisations, at a special meeting last evening, passed a resolution of sympathy with the Government. The State Miners' Union, after passing a resolution of deep sympathy, decided to continue work for the remainder of the week in accordance with the request of the Minister of Minos, the Hon. P. C. Webb, that production be maintained at the highest possible level during the present difficulties. The union also decided to adjourn, a mass general meeting, whioh was largely attended, out of respect for Mr. Savage. The Orevmouth Labour Party's meeting was similarly adjourned after deciding that the president, Mr. J. Ji. Kent, and Mr. ,T. O'Brien, M.P., be its representatives at the funeral.