NEW PLYMOUTH'S PROGRESS

Taranaki Daily News, 17 January 1920, Page 4

NEW PLYMOUTH'S PROGRESS

RECORD VALUE OF BUILDINGS. SCHEMES FOE THIS YEAR. The year 1919 was a record for New Plymouth so far as the value of buildings erected was concerned. The following figures show llie number of permits issued and the total values;—

No. of permits. Value. £ Business premises .... 9 12,230 Dwellings ' 93 ' J55,970 Miscellaneous 62 20,5!)!) Totals 104 £91',799 In the business premises the principal places were the. Criterion Garage, M. 0. Butcher's new premises, and Avery's new bond store. A second permit for un amended plan for Mr. Newton King's garage was also included in the number issued. . The average value of the permits for dwellings is well over £6OO, while the list includes several of over' £IOOO, the highest being £1450. The miscellaneous permits were for sheds, motor garages, and additions to dwellings and such purposes. There is also included in that item the value of the new nurses' home contract (£1600). The most expensive motor garage in the list was one which cost £3OO.

Several new busin«ss premises 'will be commenced in the near future and this year's figures will possiblv surpass those of last year. Messrs WeVster Bros.' new mart will be in course of erection in a short time, and new offices are to be built for the Public Trust Department and the New Zealand Insurance Co., and no doubt, if conditions show any sign of being stabilised, there will be many others in the near future. Unfortunately the position in regard to cement is at present very unsatisfactory and is holding up building operations in many places.