SHORTAGE OF HOUSES.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 February 1920, Page 6

SHORTAGE OF HOUSES.

SCHEME FOR THE HOLIDAYS. The American seaside towns that cater f*r holiday traffic get over the accommodation problem by erecting temporary houses of wood and canvas, with waterproof roofs. Mr. A. E. Sykes, who some time ago gave an interesting report upon these "tent .cities," has had a plan, prepared of a building of wood and canvas adapted to suit New Plymouth conditions. The plan was before tiie Borough Council recently, and on Tuesday evening was considered by the Tourist and Expansion 'League. The proposed structure is quite substantial and suitable for the purpose, the cost of a number, compared with the orthodox buildings, being small. They fan be made to accommodate six persons in comfort. The idea of the League is to propound a practicable scheme for housing visitors, and then submit it to a public nieetinff, so that the scheme can he put, into effect by next summer. The special committee set up for the purpose reported having visited several sites in different parts of the water-front, the site most favored being the piece of land between Kawaroa Park and Ngamotu. This is held by the Railway Department, and the chairman was deputed to interview the authorities in Wellington on the matter of securing it for the purpose of erecting thereon a number of these wood-cmivas cottages. It is considered that fifty such places could for a start be put up at, a relatively small cost, and if proper!v represented to townspeople, that the necessary finance can be obtained.