The Daily News. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1919. SOLVING THE HOUSING PROBLEM.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1919, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1919. SOLVING THE HOUSING PROBLEM.

It has been recognised by practical builders, who are animated by a progressive spirit, and have had the opportunity of studying the house-building problem not only in the Dominion, but in Britain and other countries, that the solution of the problem can only be arrived at by means of the adoption of concrete. That there is a fortune to be made by the inventor of appliances that will facilitate the erection of concrete structures at a great reduction in the cost of labor, appears to be certain, at all events there is sufficient profit in the venture to cover the cost of experiments and leave a handsome margin available as the reward of enterprise. One of the objections brought forward against the general adoption of this material for houses is that it would produce a wearisome monotony of design and elevation, as well as a sameness of the internal arrangements. The objection can, however, be easily overcome by having several patterns of boxing, and a variety of mouldings for ornamentation, and the planning of the rooms is a mere matter of detail that will not interfere with standardisation. At all events a trial is to be made, the Government having let a contract to Mr. Manning, the inventor of a system of iron moulds for concrete work, for the erection of sixty-six of these monoliths at Miramar and Petone. According to statements made by him, which appeared recently in The Dominion, the walls are of solid concrete, put into position by iron moulds supported by iron framing, the only timber used being for the doors, sashes, flooring and roofing. The exterior walls are six inches thick, reinforced with, steel, while the interior walls are four inches thick, reinforced with wire, Had either plastered

white or finished with paint or distemper. As the chimneys are in concrete, no bricklayers are required: there is no necessity for the paperhanger, and seventy per cent of the painter's work is eliminated. Houses of five rooms, exclusive of bathroom and washhouse, fitted with all conveniences, including hot water service and electric light, can be built for less than £650, including the section, and it is quite possible that fourroomed houses could be provided at a rental of ten shillings and sixpence, as proposed by Sir Joseph Ward. Practically these monolith structures are erected as a solid block, and can be turned out at the rate of two per week, while where shingle is easily obtainable the main cost would be cement. Assuming that the experiment at Miramar proves successful, it would seem to be the duty of the Government to acquire the patent, take over the cement works, and control all shingle and gravel deposits, institute a joinery factory and sawmill, so as to supply all the necessary woodwork, leaving only supervision and labor to be provided except for plumbing and roofing. By instituting economies of this nature, the cost of building would be materially reduced, and the municipalities, public bodies, and large employers of labor, including the Government, would speedily cope with the housing shortage. There is I certainly an air of practicability about the scheme, and with proper organisation, aided by Government powers over building materials, the present house famine could be speedily overcome. The outstanding advantage, is the permanent nature of the structures, the way in which they lend themselves to satisfactory sanitation, . and the reduction to a minimum of the risk of fire and the cost of upkeep, points which materially - improve their value as a national asset. It is only reasonable to expect that improved methods will eventuate as time goes on. Pos- , eibly the Government may stimulate invention in the shape of permanent roofing. One important t factor is the conservation of our 1 timber stocks, which, by the general adoption of concrete, will last , for many years more than under the present system of timber dwellings. Our technical schools are 1 quite capable of training pupils in ; the finer work connected with the ornamentation and finishing of concrete buildings, and it would form a new industry, while the saving as regards schools, teachers' residences, and public buildings would be very great. Once the industry is firmly established, it should prove a great boon to the Dominion.