BIG PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 353, 9 September 1933, Page 4

BIG PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME

Projected Operations in Ohura District FINDING WORfTfOR UNEMPLOYED It is reported that extensive public works are to be put in hand in the Ohura District which , it is hoped will be of considerable value to the district as well fts giaang much, needed relief to ihe lartfa number of men who found themselves) without employment upon the completion of the Stratford Main Trunk Line, writes an Ohura correspondent.

Mr G. Denison, chairman of the Ohura County Council, who returned to Ohura thisi evening from T&um&runui, has received the following letter from the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. J. Bitchener, dated Septektibor 5: "Included amongst the .matters. which you brought under iny notice during your recent visit, to Wellingtba is that of the improvement of the Ohura Rivor between the W?aikaka River junction and Toi Tol. The work consists, as you are aware, of the removal of willows and snag» from a| considerable length of river and of the construction of a flood splllwliy paralleling a portion of the Kopujia Road."

"Thia district engineer has. been authorised to put in hand the cleaning of willows on the upper portittrt of the river, but before the construction of a spillway is gone on with iti seems desirable to obtain the approval of the sutlers in the immediate locality The district engineer (Mr A. 0. Albert-son) has accordingly been requested to arrange for a meeting with say, yourself and the settlers, so that the various features in connection with this part of the work can be fully discussed." Mr Denison stated that he had conferred with Mr Albertson on th)e matter, and a meeting with tit} settlers had been arranged fi.4i neact Thursday at Niho Niho.

It is understood that whether thja grant will be made or not the construction of a spillway in the river depends on whether the settlers are agreeable to waive the making, of ally 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 be prosecuted as soon as the weather is suitable. One of them is likely to be the metalling of the W&itaanga Road, giving access to Ohura from Tongaporutu, the estimated cost; of this work being, £(5000.

The original estimate for the- river work was £4OOO.