New Housing Area at Paekakariki

Chronicle (Levin), 21 November 1949, Page 2

New Housing Area at Paekakariki

WELLINGTON, Nov. 19. A nunlber of building sections of' a new liousing area near the Paekakariki primary school, now being planned bv the Lands Department, wiil be itllocated to former servicenien of Paekakarik* said the Minister of Rehabilition . (Mi Skinner) today. The area, originatly purchased by tlie Government during the war for the purposes oi the big, Ameriean army eamp, comprises 06 acres and will eventualiy be subdivided into about 180 building sections. "When the requirenients of the local Paekakariki returned men have bee.i satisfied, " said Mr Skinner, "the remainder of the block will be subdivided and alloeated to returned servicemeu, first to those in the Wellington distiret whose housing needs are urgent. " Will Double Population. The Rehabilt^tion Department 's deeision to allot 30 to 40 building sections at an eariy date to local returned servicenien in the new OO acre housing area alongside the Paekakariki school sets a new principle in Kehabilitation settlement. 'The decision also marks the beginning of a new era in the prbgress of Paekakariki for the full subdivision will give a total of nearly 200 "building sections. The full development of the area will result in the practicai doubliug of Paekakariki 's existing population. About eight acres of the block fronting Miro Street have been set aside for recreational purposes, and one sec tion, possibly two, reserved for a community centre.^ The idea of securing some of this land for housing for the local returned men was first put forward by the Paekakariki Returned Services Club. This club, with a membership of about 100 returned men, and others who took tui active part in the war« eiiort, is under the presidency of Mr (formerly Lieu-tenant-Colonel) J. C. Porter, a very live and forward-looking body.