PUBLIC WORKS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1786, 26 June 1913, Page 4

PUBLIC WORKS.

GOING OX AT NORMAL RATE. The Minister for Public Works (tho Hon. W. Fraser), in replying to questions by ail interviewer yesterday, stated that tho public works in various parts of tho Dominion were now proceeding at a normal rate. He said that when work was required by farmers in tho summer he had refrained from putting on additional then. At present more men were employed 011 some works Uian during tho summer, and if necessity occurred ho Has quite prepared to put 011 a further number of 111011. The. allocations mode last year, the Minister pointed out, -arc intended to cover the period up till October or November next. Some people had urged that the Government should go in for a policy of rushing expenditure, "but, of course," the Minister said, "1 am not going to do that." The work at the Otirn tunnel, the Minister stated, was going on steadily by day labour at both ends, and it was hoped that by August it would bo possible to extend the railway -a further distance of some twelve miles towards the Bealey. Plans and specifications for the completion of the tunnel were now being prepared. Ail ofl'nrt would be made to get the work fnU-ilied by contract, and if this were not successful, ilio Government would •have to continue to curry on tho work. "The work then must be completed?" the Minister v;as asked. "Ye>V ho replied; "so much money lias been spent on tno work .that it must bo gone on with/*