CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 8, Issue 484, 24 June 1919, Page 2

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

June Meeting.

Housing Problem.

The monthly meeting of the Pukekohe Chamber of Commerce was held in the Times Buildings on Wednesday night, the President (Mr R. F. Webster), occupying the chair.

Mr 0. Heerdegen brought up the question of the housing problem. There was no doubt that Pukekohe was missing population because of the lack of dwellings. There were two schemes, one the Workers' Dwellings by the State, and the other for houses to be built by the municipality. Mr Frank Perkins thought that cheaper and smaller houses would relieve the problem. The rental would be low, but as against that there would then be an outcry about " jerry buildings." People now wanted all sorts of up-to-date facilities, and these could not be given for less than 25s per week rent. Commenting on the hot water service, Mr E. W. Tabor said that a very efficient one was in use in the Army, and cost only about £5. A similar appliance was on the market ill New Zealand.

Mr T. E. McMillan remarked that the populating of the town was being kept back, just as in other places, by the dearth of dwellings. It had been suggested that an extra passenger train service should be put on between Pukekohe and Auckland, for the convenience of present residents and prospective ones, but he did not know how new residents were going to be accommodated—unless they lived on the train, (Laughter), seeing that there were not enough houses for the existing population of the borough. Mr Heerdegen considered that the problem could only be solved by putting up houses that would last practically for ever, namely, concrete houses, which would be standardised. TELEPHONE ANl> MAIL SERVICES. The President reported that he had interviewed the Pukekohe postmaster, who stated that a new mail service to Waiuku, closing at Pukekohe at 5 p.m., was to be initiated. Also, that the telephone engineer was coming up to investigate the defects in the telephone service.

UACON FACTORY.

The Secretary said it had been represented to him that a bacon factory would be a highly payable proposition in Pukekohe.—The matter was considered more pertinent to the Farmers' Union than to the Chamber. COURTHOUSE. Satisfaction was expressed with an answering letter from the Minister for Justice (Hon. T. M. Wilford), stating that he was making inquiries relative to the Pukekohe courthouse, in response to the Chamber's request that a new one should be built. The above matter was referred to at the S.M. Court, Thursday when an official letter from head-quarters was quoted, in which the writer stated that a new sergeant's residence was wanted first.—Laughter.;