GOVERNOR-GENERAL IN AUCKLAND

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24907, 21 June 1946, Page 6

GOVERNOR-GENERAL IN AUCKLAND

VISIT TO TRANSIT HOUSING ' SETTLEMENT (P.A.) AUCKLAND, June 20. A glimpse of the Dominion’s postwar housing problem .was gained today by the Governor-General (Lieu-tenant-General Sir Bernard 'Freyberg, V.C.) and Lady Freyberg on a tour of the city and suburbs. They paid an unexpected call on two families living in the transit housing settlement at Western Springs. e On the second day of their first ViceRegal visit to Auckland their Excellencies spent the morning as sightseers with the Mayor, Mr J. A. C. Allum, and Mrs Allum, as their guides. They visited Captain Hobson’s grave in Symonds street, and from there motored to the summit of Mount Eden. After motoring through Balmoral. Mount Albert and the western suburbs they reached the Western Springs settlement shortly after 11 o’clock. It was a surprise for the residents, and more so for one, Mrs T. Brown, who came from the b&ck part of her house to find their Excellencies oq the doorstep with the caretaker of the camp. “I could scarcely have been more startled,” she- said later, "but it was a pleasure to show such charming and understanding people around the house.”

Steps taken to ease the housing crisis were explained by the Mayor, and on their way from the settlement Sir Bernard and Lady Freyberg stopped to meet another resident, Mrs T. Eccles, who lives in one of the permanent units built at Western Siprings. Travelling via Herne Bay and College Hill the party proceeded along the waterfront road to visit the Savage memorial, and to spend a few minutes admiring the view of the Hauraki gulf from Achilles point. Their Excellencies returned to Wellington by the afternoon express.