PUBLIC WORKS

Hokitika Guardian, 30 June 1933, Page 5

PUBLIC WORKS

TWO NEW BIG JOB

AT WELLINGTON AND DUNEDIN. (Per Press Association—Copyright). WELLINGTON, June 29. The Government his decided to proceed with Dio erection of a new Post Office building at Dunedin. The Government has also .approved of the initiation of a scheme embracing the filial stages in the re-arrange-ment of the railway facilities in Wellington.

In making these announcements, Mr Coates gaid: ‘‘The decision to procewj with these works is in accord witn the Governments policy in resp’ect both to public and private developmental work throughout. New Zealand.’’

Mr Coates stated: “The Government has had under the closest review numerous projects, many of which, for financial reasons, have been deferred during recent years. It is considered that the present time i s meet' opporline to proceed with these two major works within, of course, the scope oi the finance available. “The co-operation of the ■Unemployment Board -in thi 5 direction will,, ill addition to promoting the employment of ImorQ; men--- r upon production works, tdnd to stimulate- the Infilling

and allied trades, which have been adversely affected by the economic disturbances. This, in turn, . will; have a beneficial effect on industry generally.

“In the decision to- make<-an immediate commencement with the.se works, advantage has been taken ■ o*f a further factor, namely, the favourable price level upon which the constructional costs can now be computed, and the knowledge that, whereas a ri=e in the price of world commodities is essential for an economic recovery, this when it doe s come, must have the effect of increasing the final cast in respect of local constructional. pro-

grammes. J#! lh addition to a saving in capital cost's -'and. interest charges upon the capital invested in these essential buildings, similar advantages will.accrue from - an arrangement made with the Unemployment Board in respect of the- supply of labour in that to - the extent... that the taxayei’s contribute towards the subsidies paid by the Unemployment Board, they will be relieved..o.f ..taxation which would, • otherwise, have been necessary, over .a long period in interest and public debt- redemption charges.

“Co-operation with the Unemployment Boa.fd in the application of Ts subsidy scheme to .public buildings has not only opened,.up the way to’-vaicks the speedy completion .of lie buildings concerned grid / t heir earlier y use for" productive services, • which e<>rstitu'te's economy in initial capital costs ;

but it also offerssolutionto,,*•s* 'problem of finding ways and limans of going on with these 1 -w©v.ks ; within the scope of the limited funds .otherwise availabie. Had it been necese-ary to provide the whole cost of the" contemplated programme from loan funds, - a further indefinite period of delay would have been unavailable.'’ Mr Coates said that before a final decision was reached iu respect of a permanent station for Wellington, action was taken to reduce the cost to the lowest possible figure. A thorough overhaul of the original plaits had been decided upon, by which the estimated cost has been reduced from £185,000 originally planned to £550,000. He stated that after making allowances for the contribution which is being made by the. Unemployment Don,i-d, it has been found possible to finance, the balance over a four-year period. .A In’Ogra'ni'me'’ -of work over that period Ms, being arranged, and th& neccssaiy alterations to the. ioriginal plans now in hand.

It is intended, Mr Coates states, to let the work by contract, and it is expected that the tenders will he called eaniy in September next, closing towards the end of October. The work will be commenced very «®on Thereafter. In the meantime, the Department will carry out the work of clearing ;i site for the buildine. In a supplementary statement, Mr Coates s-ays: The proposed Dunedin Post Office will have eight floors. It is intended, eventually, to house all of the Government offices in that city. Foundations and a. retaining wall to the ground level have already been

constructed. After referring to the necessity of improvine ihe Wellington railway terminal facilities, the Minister pointed out the advantage of the electrification of the line, permitting of nude efficient hauling over the PaekakarikiTawa Flat deviation, already largely completed, including.the tunnels.