PUBLIC WORKS

Southland Times, Issue 22728, 2 November 1935, Page 6

PUBLIC WORKS

NATIONAL PLAN DETAILS ANNOUNCED COST OF £3,500,000 STANDARD RATES (Per United Press Association.) Helensville, November 1. Details of the programme of national works providing employment for about 9500 men at a total cost of approximately £3,500,000 were announced today" by the Minister of Finance, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates. Works have been selected by the Inter-departmental Committee recently appointed to explore avenues of national re-employ-ment and have now been approved by Cabinet for immediate prosecution. All the works will be at standard rates of pay for periods varying from a few months to two or three years. The total cost mentioned includes materials and other items in addition to wages costs.

“The works are additional to those already provided on the Estimates,” said Mr Coates. “They form part of the short-range programme and in arranging the works special attention was given to the problem of easing unemployment contributions. Varying amounts have* been made from the unemployment funds, but in every case the loan expenditure involved is amply justified by the prospective return. By this means the unemployed will be placed on works of national importance in such manner that the returns will amply cover the loan charges where the loan expenditure is required. This has been made possible by a rearrangement of Public Works votes. The net result is a considerable addition to employment provided by a given amount of loan money. The arrangements for certain other works require to be finalized before being placed on the schedule. The committee is working steadily on a long range programme covering the next five years. The works included in the programme will be justified by the direct financial return or direct or indirect social benefit. The complete list of works, together with the Estimates as to the scope for employment, possible duration and total cost, is as follows:

Ashburton irrigation scheme (25,000 acres), work for 200 men for two years, total cost 130,000 Maniototo irrigation scheme, Otago (40,000 acres), 500 men, four years 750,000 Destruction and removal of willows at Hoteo river, three tributaries, North Auckland, 75 men for two years 21,000 Work being undertaken to reduce flood risks at Waihou and Ohinemuri rivers, Hauraki Plains, raising stopbanks and earthworks, 50 men for one year 8,000 Kaipara mud flat 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, tidal flat mouth < f Hutt River, Wellington, 350 men for two years 173,000 Foimation and metalling settlement roads authorized in the Estimates for immediate commencement of 1290 men for eight months, average 165,690 Rotorua-Waikaremoana road widening and metalling, 200 men, two to three years 109,000 Camps are being erected for this work and some men will be placed almost immediately. Great South Road, WestlandWeheka to Bruce Bay, 33 miles with bridges, formation and metalling, 100 men for three years 74,000 Mental Hospital buildings in various localities, 125 men for one year 83,000 Queen Mary Hospital, Hanmer, water supply improvement, 20 men for four months 2,600 New explosive magazine at Greymouth, five men for three months * 7,400 Wingatui, 10 men for three months 1,400 Taupo wharf, 10 men for three months 1,600 Tenders will be invited for this work almost immediately. Chateau, Tongariro, staff quarters, 15 men for eight months 6,000 Road to Scoria Flat, 30 men for six months 3,500 Heating service alterations, five men for five months 1,700 Morero Springs, new outdoor bath, 12 men for three months 1,200 Forestry works in various localities, 500 men for five months 47,000 Vacancies are to be filled owing to the recent departure of a large number of men for seasonal occupations. Defence works in various localities, 93 men for varying periods 30,100 Aerodromes and landing grounds throughout the Dominion, 1100 men for two years 148,000 Elimination of various railway level crossings, a maximum of 480 men for three years 360,000 Railway works, including grade easements recently announced and the Turakina-Fordell-Okoi deviation, 1084 men "or two years 572,147 Extension of small farms scheme in the King Country by salvaging Crown securities, employment from 500 to 1500 men for several years, cost not available. Main Highways Board supplementary programme, widening deviations, sealing, etc., 26 works throughout New Zealand, 895 men for eiglL months, average 180,665 Arrangements have been made to place 565 men on co-oper-ative contract as soon as possible and invite tenders for works on which the remaining 330 men will be placed. Karamea flood protection scheme, 120 men for three years 50,000