RELIEF WORKS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 269, 3 February 1928, Page 9

RELIEF WORKS

LOCAL BODIES’ EFFORTS LOANS NIGH EXHAUSTED In Auckland city and suburbs the local authorities have done their share In the relief of unemployment, and the figures showing the money spent on special work for this purpose, give an idea of what has been going on during the past year. Many ofthe loans, however, are exhausted. The Mayor’s unemployment relief fund has spent nearly £IO,OOO in contributions and Government subsidy, and there are a few thpusands sterling left to finish off some of the work that is in hand. Improvements are going on at Western Springs, but the demand upon the fund has been so great that operations at Epsom Reserve and Grey Lynn Domain have been suspended. A meeting of the fund managers is to be held next week, when the financial position will be reviewed. At the Auckland Hospital Board the year’s estimate of £22,000 for social relief has long been exceeded, and before the financial year ends over £30,000 will have been spent. This is a big sum, and is in no way reproductive, remaining with the ratepayers as an additional burden to carry for their less fortunate neighbours. One of the most active of the outlying local authorities is the Devonport Borough Council, which is just clearing up after 18 months of very tangible assistance to the city’s workless army. A sum of £31,900 was borrowed by the council in 1926, of which about £14,400 was spent last financial year and the remaining £17,500 during the current financial year. It is not yet ascertainable whether the Council will approach the Government for extra money this calendar year. In addition to the loan money, the Devonport Borough Council was instrumental in the spending (from contributions and subsidies) of £439 on O’Neill’s Point Cemetery and £2,000 on ■Stanley Bay Park. Mount Eden Borough Council borrowed £B,OOO in 1926 an# £6,000 in 1927, and the last of these sums is just being spent, about £1,300 of the two loans remaining in hand. Otahuhu Borough Council shows a good record. A. loan of £2,900 was raised in 1926 and to this was added £l,lOO as Government subsidy. -The last of the men enjoying work under this were put off yesterday. Work in the Newmarket Borough wa s made possible by a £3,000 loan, of which £2,200 was spent on street improvement, and a further £3,000 for Outhwaite Park. The last of the latter sum is to be spent on the shelter shed at the park. The remaining £BOO of the first loan is being awaited. If necessary Newmarket might again approach the Government in order to assist its unemployed. Mount Albert’s contribution, though modest, helped in the general scheme, and the Mornington Reserve benefited as a result.