THE HOUSING PROBLEM.

Wairarapa Age, 26 March 1920, Page 5

THE HOUSING PROBLEM.

Statement by Premier.

PROGRESS OF BUILDING.

[By TWegraDh—Pros* Asmxuation WELLINGTON, Last Night.

The Prime Minister made the following statement to-day as to the" progress of dwellings in the course of erection, or being arranged for, throughout the Dominion, under the

housing scheme. In Wellington contracts have been let for the erection of 113 dwellings in Wellington and Potone. Two dwell, ings are almost completed. The concrete portion of one dwelling is completed, whilst the foundations have been .put in for forty dwellings. The concrete blocks are also made for twelve dwellings. The work has been delayed a little owing to the joinery not being ready. Joinery is now coming to hand, and the work will pro ceed much faster during the next few weeks.

In Auckland a contract has been let for the erection of seventeen dwellings at Ellerslie. The foundations and walls up to the base have been completed for twelve dwellings. The contractor is now ready to push ahead with the walls, and should make quick progress from now onward. < At New Plymouth a contract has been let for the erection of six dwellings. The builder commenced upon the work last week. Arrangements are now being made for the erection of a further thirteen dwellings in this town. At Hawera contracts have been let for the erection of eleven dwellings. The builder is to commence on. these dwellings during next .Week. Negotiations are proceeding for the erection! of a. further number of dwellings in this town. '< At Wanganui a contract has been let for the erection of twelve dwellings. The builder will commence' the erection shortly. Meanwhile, drainage work in connection with these sections is proceeding. A further, tender has been received for the erection of an additional four dwellings in this town, and Is' under «onsideration. At Palmerston North, up to the present, wo have been unable to complete arrangements to erect dwellings. As a result of a visit to the town by the Deputy Housing Superintendent and Architect, it is hoped to receive tenders fsr the erecting of a number of dwellings during the next few days. At Masterton, satisfactory progress is being made with the erection of eight dwellings. All the foundations aro in, and the walls of four dwellings are completed up to the caves. iArrangements arc being made to proceed with the erection of a further number of dwellings in this town. At Christchurch a contract has been let for the erection of four dwellings, and tenders are being called for the erection of an additional seventy-five dwellings. At Oamaru a contract has been let for the erection of \£A dwellings, and the builder is now putting in the foundations of the same. At Nelson four dwellings are in course of erection, two of wlrich are almost completed. The above represents 183 dwellings now in course of erection, and 122 for which arrangements are. proceeding —a total of 305. It is hoped to make arrangements for the erection of dwellings in Hamilton, Morrinsville, Te Awamutu, Te Kuiti, Taihape, and Rotorua shortly. Mr. Moston, the Deputy Housing Superintendent and Architect Graham will shortly visit Auckland also, for the purpose, if possible, of arranging for the erection of a largo number, such as is being done in Wellington and Christchurch. A census is being taken of the hous» building in operation in Now Zealand at the present time, but I am strongly of opinion that more building is now going on in the Dominion than at any time in its hi/tory."