HIGH COST OF RENTAL FLATS SURPRISES VISITOR

Taupo Times, Volume XIV, Issue 38, 18 May 1965, Page 9

HIGH COST OF RENTAL FLATS SURPRISES VISITOR

The liigh cost of rental flats and sections in the Auckland area had surprised Mr A. Maltby, a Rotary foundation fellow attending Auckland University College. Addressing the Taupo Rotary Club on Thursday night, Mr Maltby said it wa s possible to buy a good j section on the outskirts of I London for £1000, considerably less than the price in Auckland. The price of Auckland rental flats was about the same as those in central London. A graduate in estate management of the London University, Mr Maltby is in New Zealand under the sponsorship of the London Rotary Club. During his stay he is taking a diploma course in rural valuation at Auckland University College. Since his arrival in New Zealand early this year, Mr Maltby said he had been stiaick by the preponderance of wooden houses with iron roofs. He considered New Zealanders drove vehicles too early — "after all, at 15 years of age, you don't appreciate the dangers of a car."

Comparing the prices of motor cars, he said that in the United Kingdom used vehicles wero about half the price of those in New Zealand, but new cars were one-third dearer. Roading conditions were much superior in New Zealand and lic-ence fees, insurance costs and running costs were much higher in Britain. "New Zealanders are a very friendly people who accept people no matter who they are. "The ambition of every New Zealander seemed to be to earn enough money to buy a home with a good view, a motor car and a ! boat, and let the world go | by. "But my main impression," Mr Maltby said, "is that New Zealand is a wonderful young country with great opportunities."