Fewer Commercial Buildings Passed

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31057, 12 May 1966, Page 3

Fewer Commercial Buildings Passed

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, May 11. Permits for new buildings in New Zealand, other than houses and flats, decreased from 2246, in 1964-65, to 1935, according to a release by the Government Statistician (Mr J. V. T. Baker).

The value of these buildings fell from £48.6 million to £40.8 million, a decrease of 16 per cent. In 1963-64 the permit value of buildings in this category (most of them commercial and Government buildings) was £32.3 million. There was an increase of 575, or 2.3 per cent, in the number of permits issued for houses and flats in 1965-66. and the value rose by £5.6 million, or 6.7 per cent, from the 1964-65 figures. Other new buildings show a decrease of 311 permits and of £7.8 million in value.

Permits for alterations and additions to houses and flats increased by 840 in number and by £1.4 million or 12.8 per cent in value, while permits for alterations and additions to other buildings increased by 118 in number and £12.8 million or 35 per cent in value.

The value of all building permits issued for New Zealand was £190.9 million which shows an increase of £12.0 million or 6.7 per cent, on the figure of £178.9 million for the year ended March 31, 1965.