Publication: Wellington, N.Z. : Govt. Printer, 1975. (Crown Copyright)
Physical Description: xv, 329 pages : illustrations, maps ; 25 cm
More Author / Title Information:
    Rosslyn J. Noonan.
Language: English

OCLC Number: 2895696
LCCN:76380994
Contents: Genisis : Conditions existing -- First arrivals -- Needs -- Early roads -- Provincial developments -- Vogel -- Establishing the department, 1870-1876 : Vogel's proposals -- Reactions -- Act -- Department is established -- Organisations -- Staff -- Resident Minister for Middle Island -- Rakaia Bridge -- Railways -- Blackett's travels -- Fox ministry defeated -- Board of control -- Reports on proposed works -- Brogden contracts -- Supply of materials -- Staffing difficulties -- Armed Constabulary -- Maori Labour -- Tauranga-Rotorua Road -- Colonial architect -- Uncertain future, 1877-1889 : Additional work -- Staffing difficulties -- Committees & commissions -- Operating railways separated -- Divided administration -- Difficulties -- New under-secretary -- Department reunited -- Staff changes -- Depression looms -- Civil service commission -- Outside pressures -- Threatened abolition -- Main trunk railway surveys -- Unemployment relief -- Going concern, 1890-1920 : Diminished but survives -- Dick Seddon arrives -- Major jobs : Main trunk railway accelerated -- Midland railways -- Arthurs Pass Tunnel -- Raoding -- Hydro-electric works start -- New vigour, 1920-1929 : Coates & Fukert -- Mechanisation -- Workers agreement -- Unemployment -- Planning -- Political patronage -- Main highways board -- Traffic control -- Local bodies loans -- Hydro-electric developent -- Irrigation -- Contracts -- Tauranga railway -- Arapuni -- Department's work force -- Unemployment effects -- Nadir, 1930-1935 : Single men's camps -- Aerodromes -- Napier earthquake -- Mohaka cylinders -- First semple years, 1936-1939 : Mohaka viaduct Level crossings -- Milford Sound Road -- War & its aftermath, 1939-1949 : Effects of war -- Power developents -- Soil conservation & Rivers control -- Housing -- Construction for armed services -- Defence construction Council -- Semple tanks -- Accommodation for American Forces -- Aerodromes in Fiji -- Hydro -- Roading -- Railways -- Turakina Fordell Tunnels -- Aerial topdressing -- Problems & prospects -- Public Work, 1950-1970 : National Government -- Contracting -- Post war shortages, labour, materials, staff -- Role of Ministry -- Overseas contractors : Roxburgh, Manapouri, Rimutaka Tunnel -- Cost increases -- Gordon Wilson -- Public buildings -- Motorways -- Heavy traffic -- Power developments -- Legal, water & soil, Town planning -- Wellington airport -- Public relations.

Subjects: New Zealand. Ministry of Works History.
        New Zealand. Ministry of Works.
        Public works New Zealand History.
        Public works.
        New Zealand.
        History.

Summary: "In 1870 there were close parallels between New Zealand and Australia. Each consisted of isolated settlements round an extended coastline, with sea travel the only ready means of communication. Each area developed its own local government. In New Zealand a central government controlled finance but with bitter inter-provincial jealousies the country lacked unity. Some hundred years ago Julius Vogel, the Colonial Treasurer, realised that the key to overall development lay in improved overland communications. To effect this, he established a central Public Works Department to build roads and railways between the settlements. This book is the story of that department over its first hundred years; its effect on the development of the country; its vicissitudes and its changing roles. The department has built roads, railways, power schemes, irrigation works, public buildings, highways, motorways and airports. This book also covers the growth of New Zealand as a nation. Illustrations fully cover the period ..." -- Inside front cover.

Genre: History.

Bibliography: Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Database: WorldCat

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