SHANNON HOUSING SCHEME.

Shannon News, 10 February 1922, Page 3

SHANNON HOUSING SCHEME.

* COMMITTEE TO MAKE INQUIRIES. Mr Edward Newman. M.P., sent a telegraphic message to the Borough Council on Tuesday evening in regard 10 the housebuilding scheme that was brought up at a previous meeting. The Minister had informed him that the State Advances Department was accepting applications from local authorities lor sums not exceeding£sooo for this purpose. If the Council would apply for a grant for biu.d ing houses it would receive immediate consideration. Mr Newman asked thai he be kept advised as to what was being done, in order that he may assist as far as possible. Mr- Newman wrote confirming Jus telegram, : stating that applications were being received by the State Ad-' vames Department for sums not exceeding £SOOO in any one hnancia: year for housing purposes. Cr. Hyde said it would be necessary to find out the cost of the houses before going on with the scheme. Hyde had-an estimate of the cost.

Cr. .Hyde explained that that was lor a house independent of this scheme. A house and section under this scheme, he considered, must not cost more than £6OO. Cr. Hook: How are you going to And that out? Cr. Hyde: Only by calling tenders and getting an idea of the cost that way. Cr. Gardner asked how it was proposed 10 let the people into the houses. Cr. Hyde: By them paying £lO or more down and paying the rest off at so much per week. The Mayor considered the deposit should be £SO. It was not good business to let houses go on a smaller deposit. Cr. Gardner (to Cr. Hyde): What would you let a tenant in on? Cr. Hyde: It all depends on the tenant.' * 1 know of some that l would have no hesitation in letting take a house on a £lO deposit. Cr. Fargher agreed, and said there would.be no difficulty in getting hall a dozen who would be prepared -to pay £SO or £6O deposit and carry the thing through. The Mayor suggested getting their engineer (Mr Edwards) to draw up plans ami specifications. He had built a lot of houses in Palmerston North, and had made a good job ol litem. Cr. Hyde said he was afraid Mr Edwards would be too elaborate. The Mayor suggested that Mr Edwards be asked to eliminate ornamentation, and make the buildings plain and substantial. He suggested that a committee be set to confer with MiEdwards on the matter. On Cr. Hyde's motion, seconded by Cr. Richardson, Crs. Spencer, Fargher and the mover were constituted a committee to go into the housebuilding question.