AFFORESTAATION CAMP

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 35, 10 February 1934, Page 8

AFFORESTAATION CAMP

BONDS ARE BEING ISSUED APPLICATION TO COUNTY. SCHEME REFERRED TO RATEPAYERS. The Wanganui Youths’ Afforestation Camp at Kaitoke, which is to be reopened early in April, will require something like £lOOO in cash to continue its good work. A deputation from the Wanganui District Development League waited on the Wanganui County Council in reference to the matter yesterday, suggesting that the council invest £2OO in bonds against the production of timber that will result from the camp’s activities. While the council refused to invest the ratepayers’ money, it commended the scheme as being most useful, the consensus of opinion being that it was worthy of support by individual ratepayers privately. Messrs. D. Dustin (president i, G. Payne (vice-president) and Tancred Cooper (secretary) represented the League. Air. Dustin said that the estimated requirements for 1935 ran into £2300. The food supply, however, thanks to the assistance of councillors, master bakers and others, was assured, but £lOOO would be required in cash. There was a sum of £250 in hand from art union proceeds. The Unemployment Board would not be able to find any funds and it was suggested that the county invest, say £2OO, in bonds. It was intended to have validating legislation put through to enable that to be done, and the League was offering £1 bonds for 10s. Commercially, the scheme was sound. The county chairman (Air. Duncan Afaekintosh) opposed investing ratepayers’ money. He said that the scheme was a good one and should be supported by the ratepayers privately. As a private individual he was prepared to do his share, but in his public capacity he had a duty to see that tho ratepayers’ money was spent on the roads. “I tell you straight that I don’t propose to invest the county funds in bond.” he said. “The councillors can over rule me when they go into it if they like. Crs. A. H. Collins. W. Craig and J. J. Lisscttc supported the chairman’s view and a decision to oppose an investment was come to. Cr. D. AlcGregor suggested that the county might well make a donation of £lO. It was decided to hold that matter over as the county had already donated an amount this financial yeai. Air. Cooper, speaking on behalf of tho work at the camp, said that of the 43 boys who had been in the camp when it closed 20 had been found work before they left. Later, he had found work for another nine. It was not the policy of the camp to take boys away ironi good jobs. The camp was prumoted to keep them off the street, and as soon as the boys were offered work outside they were sent to it.