Two State House

Lake County Mail, Issue 16, 10 September 1947, Page 7

Two State House

Units to be Built at Queenstown

Progressive League Affairs

Advice that a contract for the erection of the first two State housing units at Queenstown had been accepted was received from the director of housing construction, Wellington, by the Queenstown Progressive League at its monthly meeting on Monday last week. Difficulty has been experienced in obtaining suitable building sections in Queenstown, stated the controller, and negotiations were proceeding for the purchase of three such sections. It was proposed to call tenders for a further contract of three units, should the k land be obtained. ) Considerable discussion arose over the long period in which the department had taken to act. Reference was also made to the number of sites that could be made available for building purposes. Borough Housing Scheme Arising out of this discussion, the matter of a borough housing scheme was brought forward by J. L. Lindsay, who stated that he considered a venture of this nature preferable to State houses. Mr Hopwood supplied information that he had secured from other local authorities and it was decided that the matter receive further consideration at the next meeting. Captain G. A. Herbert, 0.1.C., New Zealand Railways, Queenstown, forwarded a copy of a letter he had received from the general manager in regard to sharing the cost of the erection of a bus shelter at the corner of Frankton road and Stanley street, and suggested that the basis be 50 per cent, cost to be borne by the Mount Cook and Southern Lakes Tourist Company and the balance to be equally shared by the Queenstown Borough Council and his department. —It was resolved that the matter be left in the hands of Mr McDonald to confer with the director of the Mount Cook Company over their share, and to point out to the Railway Department that the committee strongly felt that half the cost should be borne by the Railway Department, as it was no concern of the Borough Council. Railway Offices Alterations The officer in charge, New Zealand Railways, wrote in reply to a letter from the league, stating that major alterations would be carried out in the near future to the railway offices, and the matter of placing : a sign directing the public to conveniences would be attended to in conjunction with these alterations. —It was decided that Messrs McDonald, Lynch and Lindsay be a sub-committee to confer with Gaptain Herbert, recommending that the existing tourist room be Converted into a waiting room, or when alterations are being carried out, that provision be made for the erection of a waiting room with conveniences for the benefit of the travelling public. The town clerk, Queenstown Borough Council, forwarded copies of letters from the Otago Expansion League, asking for information regarding accommodation, list of hotels, boarding houses, telephone numbers, launch and steamer trips; also a glossy print photograph of Queenstown for a proposed folder being issued by the league. Messrs Hopwood and Robertson were requested to secure the data required. A letter was received from the borough council thanking the league for its interest in the matter of the road to the Camping ground, and advising that the council was taking thp matter up with the member for the district. A remit would alsojbe forwarded to the Local Bodies’ conference. It was decided to write to the .Ice Skating Club asking that a deputation of its members meet the league regarding the provision of amenities at Downey’s Lagoon for next winter.