CITY COUNCIL'S HOUSES

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 206, 26 May 1920, Page 6

CITY COUNCIL'S HOUSES

SUGGESTED SALE BY AUCTION. The Housing Committee of the City Council recommended to the City Council last evening: "That tho seven Louses, at Northland at present under construction be sold by- auction as completed, and that a reserve in such sum ns the City Valuer considers necessary lie placed on the properties; the purchaser in each case to bo required to make a declaration that he intends to use the premises as a residence for himself and family, and that neither he nor his wife has any interest in any other rcsidoutial property." Councillor E. A. Wright, M.P., moved that the clause be referred for further consideration. It had been recognised that because of the initial expenses of the scheme the cost of erecting the first seven houses would be heavier than the cost of building other houses later. At the next meeting of the council the com. mittee would be able to show the value put on the houses by the City Valuer, compared with the price they had cost tho council. „,,•'., In reply to Councillor P. l'raser, tho Mayor (Mr. J. P. Lnko) said he was not in favour of the council renting the houses. In his opinion it would be a suicidal policy to build houses and then let them. But the houses should be disposed of on such terms as would bo advantageous to the oounoil, having regard to the rights of tho purchasers. A condition should 1» attached to tho terms of salo which! would prevent exploitation of the peoplo buying tho houses. (Hear, hear.) Further consideration of tho matter was deferred.