Communications and transit > Enquiry on national public works

(b) The following works were in course of execution at March 31st, 1934 :
Mineral
Barytes
Brick-clay ....
Limestone ....
Phosphates . . .
Roads of access
Slate
Sulphur
Number of cases
Classification (m) Classification (a)
1
2
I
I
4
1
1 district
(c) The following works are in contemplation (in April 1934) :
Mineral
Brick-clay . . . .
Granite
Limestone ....,
Marble
Pipe-clay
Roads of access
Slate
Number of cases
Classification (m) Classification (a)
I
I
3
1
1
9
2 districts
The nature of the work is the removal of overburden, the clearing away of debris,
the construction or improvement of means of ingress to and egress from the deposit and,
generally, the proving of the deposit and facilitating its working.
II.
In every case, the works are carried out by private persons or firms who are given
a grant for the purpose from the State. These parties must satisfy the Department of
Industry and Commerce that they possess the necessary title to work the deposits over
the areas in question. In addition, they must carry out only the types of work specified
by the Department and they must recruit any labour additional to their normal staffs
from the local offices of the Department.
III.
These grants are charged against the ordinary budget of the State. Operations are
commenced by the authorisation of the Department and, in every case, reimbursement is
made fortnightly to the grantees on receipt from them of properly vouched claims. Any
expenditure over and above the amounts of the grants is borne by the grantees. The
total amount of such grants for the period under review was £25,000.
IV.
On most of the works, the expenditure is wholly in respect of labour, but, in special
circumstances, a maximum of 15% is allowed towards the costs of materials and
equipment.
V.
The works involved have a direct value in providing for the relief of unemployment
in the districts concerned, and this aspect of the matter is one of the factors considered
in determining the question of giving these grants. The indirect value is in the possible
development of mineral deposits following the exploratory work covered by the grants.
The Department is satisfied that, on the whole, there has been substantial development
as a result of these operations.