PUBLIC WORKS

Southland Times, Issue 22962, 7 August 1936, Page 6

PUBLIC WORKS

APPROVAL OF SECOND SCHEDULE MONEY FOR SOUTHLAND ROADS (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, August 6. An important announcement about the future of public work in the Dominion was made by the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple). He stated that a econd schedule of works, involving an expenditure of £2,700,000, had been approved by Cabinet, anil when this, together with the first schedule, involving an expenditure of £17,500,000, was put into operation, the Public Works Department would be employing approximately 20,000 men. The Minister issued a warning to men who might contemplate leaving regular employment with the intention of going on to these or other public works, and stated that they would not be placed. It was not his intention that men should leave industrial or other employment for public works, and if it were found that any had done so, they would be dismissed from the works.

Special work and railway construction vacancies would provide immediate employment for 4600 men, and the Minister explained that a further 1000 men would be required for metalling and a few other works stopped during the winter. Allocation of Work. The allocation of work, according to the public works districts, is as follows:— Stratfc rd.

£ Roads 86,250 Main highways 52,000 Turakina deviation 500,000 Total 638,250 Number of men to oe employed 865. Wellington. £ Roads Number of men 250. 230,000 North Auckland. Roads 54,600 Main highways 20,500 Total 75,100 Number of men 365. Railways Number of men 130. 600,000 Auckland. Roads 123,400 Main highways 29,000 Total 152,400 Number of men 545. Tauranga. Main highways Number of men 60. 15,000 Napier. Main highways Number of men 40. 10,000 Taumarunui. Roads 180,->00 Main highways 10,900 Total 190,000 Number of men 240. Nelson-Marlborougli. Roads Number of me” 70. 14,100 Greymouth. Main highways 53,000 River protection 70,000 Roads 250,000 Total 1 373,000 Number of men 300. Canterbury. Main highways 26,000 Irrigation 135,000 Total 161,000 Number of men 210. Otago-Southla ", Roads 310,000 Main highways 88,500 Irrigation 390,000 Total 788,500 Number of men 890. The number of ner. still to be 1 laced on railways already authorized is as follows:— Gisborne 300 Canterbury 360 Nelson 365 Westport 330 Total 1655 This makes a grand total of men employed 5710 and an expenditure of £2,707,350.