Land in Auckland For Housing Scheme

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 24, 29 January 1937, Page 6

Land in Auckland For Housing Scheme

GOVERNMENT PURCHASES LARGE BLOCK. Per Press Association. WELLINTON, Last Night. One of tho largest vacant blocks of land close to the city of Auckland and locally known as the Casey estate, has been purchased by the Government for tho purpose of a housing scheme. The Prime Minister, MrM.J. Savage, said to-day that the Ministry of Housing had acquired the estate at a reasonable cost. The purchase price would work out at about £17,000. The block would be slightly redesigned for the purpose of increasing the size of sections but there would be at least 120 sections available and they would work out at £l4O a section. The land, which is on Richmond road, was the largest vacant block close to the city, continued Mr Savage. The Auckland City Council which had investigated a very large number of properties, had stated that in its opinion the Casey estate, at the price at which it was available, made it most suitable for a housing scheme. The council had acquired an option over the land which it had not exercised but had been pleased to leave it to the Government. Referring to the purchase price, Mr Savage said this is only further evidence of the capacity of the Government to buy building sections at a price that shows an extraordinary saving over the cost of similar sections purchased a few years ago. In all probability, while the Orakei estate (Crown property) is being further roaded and dealt with, a scheme supplementary to that whith will be commenced in Auckland directly will be proceeded with on the Casey estate.