PATEA COUNTY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 109, 11 May 1933, Page 5

PATEA COUNTY

“OVER THE FENCE” SCHEME WORK FOR UNEMPLOYED BUSINESS OF THE COUNCIL.. (Our Own Correspondent.) PATEA, May 10. Ways and means for carrying out the “over the feuce” scheme in the Patea County were discussed at the monthly meeting of the council, those present being Councillors W. G. Belton (chairman), W. 11. Watkins, C. E. Johnston, W. Back, J. Peat, J. Lupton, R. J. Watt, R. G. Scown and I). Hurley, jr. The engineer, Mr. L. F. Row, submitted a scheme whereby all farmers in the immediate district surrounding Patea would be informed through various ways, including the medium of the dairy factories, when men were available for any manner of developmental work. Applications would be made at the county offices, and if sufficient were received from one area the county would arrange to transport the men to the farms. Thus there would be no transport charges falling so heavily on the council’s shoulders as at present, as the farmers would contribute. The more men taken the less the charge. At present there was one third of the working population of Patea seeking relief from the unemployment committee. The borough could not place more than two dozen men. and even then work was being made for them. Often the county were asked if 50 men could be taken out on the county work. The chairman said that the farmers had the choice now of taking men, but had to find their transport, and if far out of town, accommodation also. The position was very serious in a town of this size. Men -were hanging round waiting for work, which when given was not serious. He could not blame them for growing into a slack frame of mind. If they were taken out into the country and given real work, both they and their families would benefit. Cr. Scown pointed out that the farmers were not at present allowed to give the men the work that was needed to be done. Farmers could not afford to buy manures, fencing and so forth in order to give unemployed work. He himself could give work of another nature to four or five men. Cr. Belton stated that the local unemployment committee had given the County Council permission to carry this scheme out, and with the assistance of the farmers it should be of great benefit both to them and the unemployed. If enough offers were received from farmers in several districts, or small areas, the transport for the men would be arranged for each day. General. Several applications for the remission of the penalty on rates were received and dealt with. Cr. Belton pointed out that under recent legislation farmers were exempt from heavy traffic .fees on farm lorries, used for the cartage of farm produce, on the condition that their mileage was restricted to five miles on the main road in one trip. “I advise you to read the new regulations—it will he to your benefit,” concluded Cr. Belton. Roads which required metalling were discussed, and the decision was left in the hands of the engineer with power to act. The use of chains on other than highway roads was brought forward, and certain roads were declared as those on which chains could not be used, during the winter months.

Accounts totalling £l.OlB were read and passed for payment.