DEVELOPMENT WORK

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 48, 26 February 1941, Page 4

DEVELOPMENT WORK

WANGANUI EXPENDITURE MEN ON RELJEr SCHEME £154,013 LX It TEARS. During a period of nearly 11 years, Employment Promotion Fund expe nu'ii e in Wanganui totalled £454,1)13, including £27,?18 spent on sports bodies, schools, and other works. A statement to this effect was tabled at the monthly meeting last mgnt oi the Wanganui City Council. the period was frj... April 1, 1930, February 1941. The council’' expenditi e >n •upervi.-.wi. t.iks. transport and subsidies, was 140,692. The state n mt was as folio .v->-

City Council expenditure on all the above works during this period—supervision, tools, transport and subsidies —£40,692. Council's Share. The money had been spent on the development of Wanganui, and the cost to the council in supervision, tools, transport and subsidies was not more than 10 per cent., said the Mayor, Hon. W. J. Rogers, M.L.C., who added that the figures were a revelation of the work accomplished and the amount of money spent. in wages during the period under review. Mr. Rogers added that included in the work done under the Employment Promotion Fund was £13.424 on water tunnels, whlen could have been a legitimate call on the ratepayers. Improvements to Cook’s Gardens also carried out under the scheme, had cost. £10,462, and were greatly appreciated by those who used these valuable sports grounds. Some criticism had been levelled at the progress made in constructing the new conveniences in St. Hill Street, said Mr. Rogers, who added that he wanted the public to know the whole position. This work was being carried out under the Employment Promotion Scheme and the cost to the council had not been more than 20 per cent. No machinery had been used. A number of men employed were classed as “unlit for heavy work” by the Social Security Department. No mechanical plant h"d been employed in order that full : ✓ antage might be taken of the "free” labour, even concrete mixing and placing being done by manual labour. “Remarkable Figures.” The figures were rather remarkable, commented Cr. J. J. Scott, who added that 90 per cent, of the money had gone over the counters of business firms in Wanganui. Referring to the work done at Cook’s Gardens, Cr. Scott said it was a credit to the council. Almost all, if not all, of this work could not have been attempted by the council without Government assistance, said Cr. Bennett. Possibly, he added, it was a mistake to have men classified as unfit for heavy work associated with those who are physically fit, but ratepayers would agree that the money had been wisely spent. Criticism possibly started with the work at Cook’s Gardens, and some people had thought that the men were not doing the work there, said Ct. J. Broad. It was a mistake to have men classified as unfit for heavy work on jobs they were not fit to do. He agreed that the council was very fortunate in having so much assistance from the Government.

Airport 105,786 Streets and footpaths 45,500 Water supply—tunnels 13.424 Water supply — pumping station 771 Cook's Gardens — entrance and terracing 10,462 Municipal golf links 9,638 Castlecliff Domain-- development 20,153 Showgrounds, Wa ng a n u 1 East 11.822 Other reserves ano riverbank 78,788 Great North Road,—deviation 5,124 St. Hill Street conveniences ... 708 Hylton's gravel pit 12,249 Castlecliff gravel pit 4,240 Bridges 2,243 Miscellaneous works and services 77,966 Tramway permanent way 15,955 Levelling Jackson Street sections 5,478 Levelling Fergusson Street sections . 2,155 Beautifying Society 4,333 Total £454,013