BUILT HOUSE FOR £350

Chronicle (Levin), 29 July 1947, Page 4

BUILT HOUSE FOR £350

PIONEER CONTRACTOR'S RIFLEY-LIKE REMINISCENCES , Almost like a fairy-tale was a review of the building costs in the early 1900's given by a pioneer contractor, Mr. "Con" Sirid, formferly' of Levin, during an interview tdday. During the yeatS 1907-1911 a building boorii Was expetiended in Levin, said Mr. Strid: HoUSes went up in dozens all over the town at costs which would seem fantastic when' viewed in the light of present day figures. The fiiieSt qhality scantling timber Was delivei'fed to the site at a cost to. the builder of 6s 6d per 100 feet. The most expensive weather boarding cost 12s 6d pef 100 feet. He built a housd iii cambridge Street for a total contradt price of £350, and another for £375. A high pressure stove had cost only £4 10s and the' installation of a complete hot water system £25. The>scrimming and papgfing of a six-roomed house, plus the aadition of three coats of paint on the outside, cost him £35. Though he was now out of the trade, he thought £150 would not cover it today. Born in HelSiiigbOfg, SWedfeh, Mr. Strid camfe to NeW Zdaldnd in 1902 after having had experience in the building trade in his native country, and in Canada and the Uriited States. A seafarer for a number of years, he has been in many countries, but his rovi'ng nature has, he says, never allowed him to remain in one place for any length of time. He served for some years in the Swedish Army, but as he did not take kindly to the "extraordiharily severe" discipline, the Army and he soon parted and he returned to the sea. Later he saw service in the South African War. Commenting on the building trade- generally, Mr. Strid said he considered that a large percehtage following the tfade today were merely "handymen." They could use a hammer and saw and "do the job," but lacked "finish". "There is nothihg in the erection oi a house; it's in the finishing touches that akill comes in," said Mr. Strid. The shortage of labour was the principal reason for this condition, he continued. The modern generation ci carpenters was in such demand that they had not the time to learri the finef pdrhts of the trade. Meh were taken on and given full pay so long as they could wield a hammer and saw. The best workman was one who had previously hdd experience at cabinet making. The days When there wds oflly one house in Bath Street were recalled by Mr. Strid, who also added that he had helped to build the Levin Public Library, the Arcadia Private Hotel (then a three-storied building) and Ihe Grahd Hotel. He also built the house &t the dofner df Princess and Queen Street, and the cne on the opposite corner. Among the building contfddtdrs rdcaiied.b^ Mr. Strid were Messrs. Prihgies, Whitaker ^and Wright, Coppin, Mudford, Douglas and ArCiis. Commenting on New Zealand timbers, Mr. Strid said he considered totara equal to any jn the world for durability. Despite the fact it is not geherally. favoured by builders, he reveaied a high fegafd fof piiiUS ihsignus. He had built a hdusd with this timber at Port Waikato 26 •yeafS agd, and it Was still as sound as when' it had first been erected. Kauri was, he said, suSceptible ' to dry rot. He thdught its vaiue for constructional purposes was over esiimated, ■ Wood was like a suit of elothes, said Mr. Strid. If looked after prop^erly it lasted for years. Brovidihg borer was kept out and the timber looked after generally, a wooden house would last a lifetime. The Swedish house , in which he had been borii Was -300 years dld. He expressed approval of the high foun-

dations used in modern buildings, and said he considered the brickvender type of structUre was the most suitable for the New Zeaiand climate.