FRESH PUBLIC WORKS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18192, 13 September 1933, Page 10

FRESH PUBLIC WORKS

ABSORBING RAILWAY WORKERS STRATFORD-MAIN TRUNK As a result, of recent, representations regarding the plight of a large part pi tho male population of Ohura, owing to the completion of work on the Strat-ford-Main Trunk Railway, it is understood that extensive public works are projected in the Ohura district that will give much-needed relief to the unemployed and at Hie same time be of considerable benefit to the settlers of the district.

Mr. G. Denison, chairman of the Ohura County Council, has received the following letter from the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. J. Bitehener, dated September 5: “included among the matters which you brought under my notice during your recent visit to Wellington, is that of the. improvement of the Ohura River between the Waikaka River junction and Toftoi. Tne work consists, as you are aware, ot the removal of willows and snags from a considerable length of river and of the construction of a flood spillway paralleling a portion of . the Kopului road. • - ■

“The district engineer Inis been authorised to put in hand the clearing of willows on the upper portion ot the river, hut before the construction of a spillway is gone on with it seenis dei sirablc to obtain the approval of the 'set-tiers in the, immediate locality. The , district engineer, Mr. ft. A. Albertson, jlias accordingly been requested to arrange for a, meeting with, say, yourselt and the settlors, so that the various features in connection with this part of the work can lie fully discussed.”

I Mr. Denison stated that lie had conferred with Mr. Albertson on the. matter, and a meeting with the settlers had 'been arranged. j It is understood that wnether the grant will be made or not for tho 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 bo prosecuted as soon as tho weather is suitable. One of them is likely to be the metalling of the Wailaanga road, giving access to Ohura from Tongaporutu, tho estimated cost of this work being £6OOO. .The original estimate for the river work was £4OOO.