WORKERS' DWELLINGS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 12, 9 October 1917, Page 6

WORKERS' DWELLINGS

LAST YEAR'S OPERATIONS. "The number of workers' dwellings erected during the year ended March 31, 1917, was sixty-five," says the annual report of the Superintendent of' Workers' Dwellings, "Of this number thirty-seven were in course of ercfttion on March 31, 1918. Owing to the largely increased cost of building material and the difficulty experienced in obtaining tenders at a reasonable figure, it was found necessary to considerably curtail the programme which was laid down beginning of the year; in many instances the tenders received were so high as to be quite prohibitive, and it was deemed unwise in the interests of the applicants themselves to accept them and erect l.he dwellings. Whereas two or three years ago a fourroomed dwelling in wood cost about £'M and a five-roomed dwelling about X 450, the cost of similar honses at tho present time would be about .£460 and Xf6o respectively; consequently only twenty-eight dwellings were erected instead of 100,° as arranged for in the original programme. ' Since March 31, 1917 (in addition to eleven houses in course of erection at that date), arrangements have been made for the erection of twelve more dwellings. Of these, three are for Wellington, (ketone), three for Mnsterton, four for New Plymouth, and two for Patea. There is still a large demand for workers' dwellings, especially in the Wellington district. The board will, however, ds in the past, exercise care, and only build wl en the cost is reasonable. A 'dwelling was purchased at Kilbirnie, Wellington, which was chosen by an approved applicant and inspected by an officer of the Department who reported that it was suitable for a worker's dwelling. ".All the workers' dwellings throughout the Dominion haVe again been inspected by officers of the Department in accordance with the scheme instituted in 1914, in order to ascertain that purchasers and tenants were taking projior care of their dwellings, and it is most satisfactory to note tliat with very few exceptions'the rcnorts disclose that occupants not only take great care of, but also sufficient interest and pride in, their houses and sections—that in numerous instances improvements, such us laying-out of Hardens and planting of trees and shrubs, have been effected. "It is worthy of note that tlie Workers' Dwellings Board lias decided on a nolicv which has for its object the assisting of purchasers who have joined the Expeditionary 'Forces, and relieving them or their dependants of the payment of such portion of the instalment as represents a repayment of principal, and accepting a rent comprising only interest at the rate of S per cent, on the balance of juirc'hascmoney, owing at the date of enlistment, tneethcr with such an amount as will rover the insurance premium on the dwelling. This concession has been Ir.fcon advantage of by a number of purchasers and boon much appreciated."