GOVERNMENT TO IMPROVE ROAD NEAR SHANNON.

Shannon News, 11 October 1929, Page 2

GOVERNMENT TO IMPROVE ROAD NEAR SHANNON.

RESULT OF UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF SCHEME. One result of the Government’s scheme for the relief of unemployment will be a speeding-up of highway construction in the llorowhenua County. To what extent this will eventually, operate is not at present known, but it is certain that a large gang wdl.be set to work shortly on the main road . just to the south of Shannon. The Public Works Department is. 'taking in hand a section of a mile and a-half for re-constructive work. This does not necessarily mean that the Government will carry operations to tJio i -point of bitumcnising, but it will at any rate - undertake formation and widening on this length, which is in rather urgent need of attention. A survey was carried out some time ago by the County Council, anu before the end of this week officers of the Department will be ou the scene to locate the pegs. They hope to start' the construction work on Monday, and it is probable that eventually about thirty men will be employed on this section. The employees will consist mainly of men who ' have registered at Wellington and Palmerston North as unemployed. The primary object of the authorities .in taking over this portion of highway work is to help to absorb surplus labour, and possibly at a later date the scheme may be extended m this County. Within the immediate district, uu-c-mplovment has not been so noticeable lately* as during the winter. From Saturday last until midday to-day, under the new system of relief brought in by the Prime Minister, only eight applications for registration for .employment had been received at the Levin post office.