FAST DETERIORATING

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 9, 9 August 1946, Page 3

FAST DETERIORATING

PREFABRICATED ARMY HUTS MR W. SULLIVAN’S REPRESENTATIONS Disposal of prefabricated wooden army hut sections now stacked in the open near the Seaview carparking area was raised in the House of Representatives by Mr W. Sullivan (National, Bay of Plenty) who asked the Minister of Finance what steps were being taken to dispose of them. He pointed out that they were in great demand and the timbered sections would fast deteriorate and become valueless unless they were used quickly. Replying, the Minister (Mr Nash) said that all of the prefabricated parts insofar as they could be utilised to make up complete buildings had been sold. Of the parts remaining, there were practically no Sjructural parts for roofing, while supplies of doors and windows had been exhausted. The parts still available for sale being of very light construction were of little value in metropolitan areas where local by-laws practically prohibited their use in building construction. All unsuccessful applicants for huts and buildings in the Wellington district, but outside the city limits, had been circularised and given the opportunity to purchase individual parts at fixed prices. Sales by this method had not effected clearance to the extent anticipated. Arrangements were now in hand to effect a clearance by offering suitable quantities in lots either by tender or auction.

Discussing the reply, Mr Sullivan said it might be possible to dispose of the parts by railing them to country districts such as the Waikato or Manawatu and auctioning them. He was sure they would be readily sold to farmers for temporary buildings, such as pig houses. Although the parts might not be complete, farmers would be able to fill in the gaps.