STATE HOUSES

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 147, 9 July 1937, Page 7

STATE HOUSES

Plans Will Not Be Deposited with Council LIABILITY FOR RATES . Though no plans and ,.6pecifications regarding the Government hoqses to be erected. in Hastings under tho housing scheme will be deposited, the Pirectoi .of, Housing has advised the Hastings • Boorugh. . Council that the department will pay fees prhere service is given, but that buildi'ng pefmits'will not be taken .)ut; In } accprdance with the stateineixt of the Minister of ^Finance, however, rates on all properties will be jiaid when' and' while' the houses are oicupicd. ' ' . In his l'etter to the" counciil last evening the director pointe'd oiit that' in blhcr cities a reduced rate was being quoted for plumbitig and drainage inspbclion on account of the largo number of 'h'ohses in one block. The director' ask'ed th'e council to fix a rate for tlicso inspections', bearing in' inind' tliat' (he houses were all together in a block. Plumbing and drainage fees at a rate to be determined would be paid by the Government, and drainage plans would bc submitted. All service connections in the roads, also repairs to roads and to footp'aths, should be done by the copncil, and to its satisfaction. Waterrate charges would be met by the Government when th0 houses were occupied. Tenants would be nesponsible lor hose-connection charges and fees. Aj'pbcations i'or water services woqld bo ruade by the contractor, and sigued Oy a rcsponsible oificer of the department, Thp council decided to charge a fee of ote guinea a houso for plumbing and dtainage inspections. Commenting on the letter, the Mayor, Mr G. A. Maddison, said he considered tliat the State, if it camo into comp.etition with private enterprise, should be in exactly tho same position as private enterprise, and should pay the rates on its properties. He pointed out that, now that tho State was becoming a mere o'xtensive property holdor as the result of tho housing scheme, muiiici'pal rurhorities were being deprivcd of a good sum in revenue from rates.