MAYOR'S CRITICISM

Chronicle (Levin), 20 March 1946, Page 4

MAYOR'S CRITICISM

Delay Over State Houses "DEPARTMENT SHUFFLING" ' ■■ ■ . ?■ Criticism of the delay in completing the construction of six State houses in Levin made at the February meeting of the Levin Borough Council by the Mayor (Mr. H. B. Burdekin) was the subject of a letter received at a meeting* oft the council on Monday from " the Department of Housing Construc- ou tion. It asserted that country work for rural housing and the settle- — [ ment of ex-servicemen had been the factor in the slow progress, and that there was no authority to direct tiling firms in priority of their employment. A letter was also read from the Palmerston, North Concrete, Tileand Roofing Co., Ltd., in connection with the allegation that the tiling of thg roofs was delaying the completion of the houses. The company stated that the three houses let by coptractto it had been completed without previous request from the contractor or Housing Department. The company requested pubfic announcement of the fact that one of the tilers concerned "had completed the cciitract. The Mayor (Mr. H. B. Burdekin) said he had that day seen Mr. G, C France, of Messrs. Harvey and France, the ' contractors for the houses under discussion. Mr. France had eiven the denartment's

assertion a categorical denial and had said that rural housing was not the reason for the delay on the State houses. "The department is just trying to shuffle over this," continued His Worship. "I will believe the ward of Mr. France over that 'of the Direetor of Housing. The joinery for the houses ha.s been ready and waiting in their workshop for months and mqnths." Mr. Burdekin added that Mr, France could give no indication of 'when the State houses could now be completed, because the main team was now working on rural housing, but some men remained on the State houses. In regard to the letter from the company, His Worship said he had apparently been in error in stating that only one firm of tilers was engaged. Apparently this particular company had completed its contract without being requested to do SQ.