HAWERA.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 June 1919, Page 3

HAWERA.

THE HOUSING PROBLEM. Hawera, June 2. The Mayor of Hawera (Mr. E. Dixon) briefly explained to a Daily News representative to-day the proposals by which it is hoped the citizens will be helped to a solution of the housing problem. It is; proposed that a reserve adjoining the park shall be cut up into about a hundred building sections, with two areas reserved in the centre for gardens. The sections are to be disposed of on the Glasgow lease principle, and, while workers will receive every possible consideration, the leases will be sold irrespective of a_ man's position, such safeguards being introduced as will prevent exploitation. One of the difficulties the council has to face i.v to prevent any one man from acquiring a number of sections for the purpose of sale with a profit, Mr. Dixon hopes that the Borough Council will be able to borrow about £IO,OOO from tho Government at. a reasonable rate of interest so that they may build a number of houses for workers. Jfo rstimate has yet been obtained of the co;.t of building a house, but it ia expected that suitable modern homes will be built for a sum of, approximately, £7OO. A new hospital and a technical school are to be built on the reserve, and a rough plan provides for making the locality one of the most attractive and popular parts of the town. The scheme as_ explained by the Mayor has everything to commend it., and f.hould, when put into practice, afford relief urgently needed in connection with the housin" problem.