UNEMPLOYED RELIEF

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 769, 16 September 1929, Page 16

UNEMPLOYED RELIEF

WORK AT KIRIPAKA OPENING NEW ROAD (From Our Own Correspondent) WHANGAREI, Today. The Minister of Public Works notified the Whangarei County- Council at its monthly meeting that the letter urging the early commencement of the proposed river road at Kiripaka and Ngunguru, and connecting the road between the landing reserve and the old road at Kaiatea, had been received. His opinion was that it would be more advisable to adopt this scheme in preference to attempting improvements to the existing road. In view of this, the Minister signified that he was prepared to favourably consider the provision of funds to cover the cost of formation and bridging, but thought the council should accept responsibility of legislation, of the roadline, including any necessary fencing. He suggested the council take up the question of legislation as soon as possible, and in the meantime an item to permit of a commencement being made with the construction work had been included in the current year’s estimates. Immediately legislation was sufficiently far advanced to permit of a commencement being made with construction work and a resolution was forthcoming from the council to the effect that it will undertake to finalise all questions in respect of legislation, arrangements would be made to place relief workers on the road. The county clerk reported having informed the Minister that the council was prepared to accept responsibility for the legalisation of the road-line, and also any claims for compensation and fencing. Since then all, except one ratepayer, through whose land the road would pass, had signed a statement that no claim would be made for compensation for fencing. Three camps had already been established by the Public Works Department at Kiripaka and Ngunguru, and at the landing, and before the end of the week between 70 and 80 men would be engaged. The district engineer had dropped rather a bombshell by notifying that he expected the council to find a portion of the cost for the access bridge at Kiripaka. This would cost £1,900. The district engineer regarded it as a replacement bridge, to be financed at the rate of £2 for £l. Councillors considered that an expenditure of over £SOO would severely tax the riding, and the question was held over to allow Cr. Morrison to be present.