MUNICIPAL HOUSING SCHEME.

Shannon News, 13 January 1922, Page 3

MUNICIPAL HOUSING SCHEME.

SHANNON BOROUGH MAKES A MOVE, During the Borough Council meeting on Tuesday evening, Cr. Hyde stated that he had been compelled to turn down no less than nine applications from outside families recently owing to their being no houses to let to them. It Avas a serious position, for although plenty of work was ottering there was no accommodation for the families. “I want to ask if the , Council will get plans of suitable cottages,” said Cr Hyde, “and call tenders, so that we can see what half a dozen houses will cost. I believe they can be built for £6OO or £650 — that is, a cottage of four rooms and conveniences. Land can be got reasonably cheap on good sites, and the cost of house and ground should not run beyond £7OO completed.” Cr. Hyde added that money could be got for 41 per cent, and with 1 per cent sinking fund, the Council could i charge six per cent on it and then i Avould still be \ per cent to the good. ! He thought if the tenants or purI chasers paid a £lO deposit, and the ! balance at so much per vy'eek, there : would be no cost on the borough or ' ratepayers. The Council, however, could do nothing until if got an idea , of the cost by calling tenders on the | lines he had suggested. “This town is never going to go ahead unless Ave can get more houses,” Cr. Hyde con- , eluded. Cr. Butt: Is your idea to get s.E> acre and build the six cottages on it? Cr. Hyde: Yes; the borough Avill allow a cottage to' be erected on onej sixth of an acre. | The Mayor: If Cr. Hyde’s figures are correct, the cost to the families who take up the houses will be about £1 pet Aveek. Cr. Butt: These houses Avill be for sale, I take it; not to let? Cr. Hyde: Yes. Cr. Richardson doubted if anyone Avoukl«.pay £1 per Aveek for a fourroomed house. Cr Hyde: They are paying it. : Cr. Murray: And forTiovels at that. ; The Mayor: We Avant more than £lO doAvn. Cr. Hyde: That is only a suggestion: Cr. Hyde pointed out that Avhatever the deposit—but it should be made reasonably light—tlie purchaser ; became the responsible person in the transaction. In the event of anyone throwing up a house, the Cbuncil would lose nothing. The Mayor insisted that the Coun- ' oil Avould have to have a larger deposit than £lO, as a lot of value AVould be knocked off by careless tenants. , Cr. Murray regarded the suggestion ! as a forward move, and one for the ; betterment of Shannon. He believed if thirty up-to-date houses were available in Shannon to-morroAv they w.ould be occupied and present dwellings vacated. •The Mayor stated that a scheme j similar to this Avas mooted in Shannon three years ago, and was submitted to the Avorkers’ union and other local institutions and Avas not : taken up. Cr. Hyde: I could place six approved families in up-to-date dAvellings tomorroAV if the dAvellings Avere available. If I could borrow money at U ' per cent I Avould take up the scheme I myself to-morrow. j The Mayor said he Avould not favj our the scheme unless there Avas a 5 deposit of not less than £SO. Cr. Butt: I am positive you could j sell them all at a £SO deposit. I The Mayor: If the Council authorises me to negotiate with Mr New'i man in regard to getting the finance '• from the Government I wil 1 do so. | Cr. Hyde: We want to find out Avhat these cottages Avill cost first, and «then Ave, Avill knoAv what to apply * for. : | It Avas finally decided, on the mo- ' tion of Crs. Hyde and Murray, to communicate Avith Mr NoAvman with a vieAV to ascertaining if it Avere possible to get a sum of money from the Government at the present time for ihe erection of cottages on the lines suggested.