Abandoned ammunition dumps were demolished by the military from Papakura Army base and other solid constructions likewise taken care of. All salvageable materials, and there was a great deal, was barged to Meola Point at Point Chevalier and sold off to willing buyers, the funds realised being used to mount further work schemes to help ease unemployment then rife within the Auckland area. All told some 7,500 persons from the ranks of the unemployed gained work from these schemes during the five years 1981-5. The unit was established by Lawrence Johnstone and ultimately absorbed into Council proper as a department in its own right under Council Administrator Grant Kirby. Some 600 schemes were mounted from construction, market gardening, the arts, Maori cultural and ethnic themes, conservation, skills training, welding, nursery work et al."

[Laurence Johnstone's notes on verso of photograph]

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